Seven Indian Pilgrims Killed, Eight Injured in EV Accident Near Manakamana Temple in Gorkha

Pokhara. Seven Indian nationals died on the spot and eight others were injured when an electric vehicle (EV) met with an accident while returning after visiting the Manakamana Temple in Gorkha.

According to information provided to Ratopati by Deepak Pandey, Chairman of Ward No. 3 of Shahid Lakhan Rural Municipality, who was involved in the rescue operation at the accident site, 15 Indian nationals were traveling in the vehicle.

Among them, seven lost their lives on the spot, while the remaining eight have been rescued. Seven of the injured are undergoing treatment at a hospital in Ambu Khaireni, while one seriously injured person has been referred to Bharatpur for further treatment.

The condition of the other injured is reported to be normal. A team from the Armed Police Force was deployed to retrieve some bodies from the accident site. According to Ward Chairman Pandey, the accident occurred around 8 PM. The vehicle fell about 150 to 200 meters below the road.

It is suspected that the accident might have occurred due to the EV overheating and brake failure on the downhill road.

'The road is under construction and the concrete is also like that. The road is very steep and difficult,' he said, 'Moreover, it is also raining. It seems the vehicle skidded due to brake failure.' It is also speculated that the driver might not have been familiar with the route as it was a vehicle outside the designated route.