Death Toll Rises to 13 in Wedding Bus Crash in Baitadi, Nepal

Dhangadhi. The death toll from the wedding procession bus accident in Purchaundi, Baitadi, has reached 13.

District Police Office Baitadi spokesperson Police Inspector Baldev Badu informed that the number of deceased reached 13 after five more people died during treatment at Dadeldhura Hospital.

Those who died during treatment include 17-year-old Bishandatta Joshi, 28-year-old Deepakraj Joshi, and 46-year-old Kishanadatta Joshi from Bithadchhir Rural Municipality-7, Bajhang; 27-year-old Keshavraj Bhatt from Kedarsyu Rural Municipality-6, Bajhang; and 14-year-old Sushil Joshi from Purchaundi-7, Baitadi.

Previously, six people had died at the scene of the accident and two at the Kotila Health Post. Those deceased include 40-year-old Keshavraj Joshi, 13-year-old Ashokraj Joshi, 35-year-old Basanta Joshi, 41-year-old Bishnudatta Joshi, and 42-year-old Nareshraj Joshi, all from Bithadchhir Rural Municipality-7, Bajhang; 60-year-old Mohandev Bhatt from Kedarsyu Rural Municipality, Bajhang; 40-year-old Basantaraj Ratla from Jayaprithvi Municipality-7; and 40-year-old Pushpa Awasthi from Purchaundi Municipality-7, Baitadi.

The Pawanadut Transport bus with registration number Supra 02001 Kha 1119, carrying the wedding party from Bhawane in Purchaundi Municipality-7 towards Sunkuda in Bajhang, met with an accident at Badgaun's turn in Purchaundi Municipality-7 at around 8 PM on Thursday. The bus fell about 150 meters below the road.

Twenty-five injured individuals from the accident are undergoing treatment at Dadeldhura Hospital, while five seriously injured are being treated in Dhangadhi. Four people with minor injuries are being treated at Deulek Primary Health Center, Bajhang.

The rescue of the accident victims was carried out by Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and local residents. Although the exact cause of the accident is yet to be determined, the preliminary assumption is that it might have been caused by overloading while ascending a slope.

Police Inspector Badu stated that the bus driver, Birendra Budha from Bhimdatta Municipality-7, Kanchanpur, who sustained minor injuries in the accident, has been taken into custody. The District Police Office Baitadi has informed that further investigation into the incident is underway.

Police have confirmed that the bride and groom were safe as they were traveling in a separate jeep.