SURKHET, MAR 18 -

At least 31 people have been confirmed dead and several others are still missing after a passenger bus plunged into the Karnali River on Thursday morning.

The ill-fated bus (Na 3 Kha 5868) heading for Surkhet from Kalikot veered off the road and fell some 150 meters down at Kaituwa in Pipalbot VDC of Dailekh district.

So far, the rescue team have recovered 25 bodies--six of women, four kids and the remaining men.

Only 16 of the deceased have been identified while a dozen have been rescued  of whom 10 are said to be in critical condition. They were airlifted to Kohalpur Medical College in Banke district.

Though only 33 passengers were said to be aboard while the ill-fated bus was heading from Kalikot, it is not known how many others were picked up on the way.

The deceased have been identified as Jayendra Neupane, of Kalikot Furkot-4, Shanker Neupane Puma Sunar, Goma Sunar, Dhir Sunar, of Furkot-7, Ati Tiruwa, of Furkot-3, Ambika Sanjel and Pawan Sanjel, of Nanikot, among others.

Likewise, of the 12 rescued, ten have sustained critical injuries.

According to DSP Naresh Man Shrestha of Regional Police Office Birendranagar, police squad from Kalikot and Dailkeh has reached the accident site.

Teams of Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, Red Cross and locals have been carrying out rescue operation at the site, while paramedics from Nepalgunj have reached the incident site.

Meanwhile, the bus employees have absconded. 

 

Posted on: 2010-03-18 12:00

Post Your Comment

Please note that all the fields marked * are mandatory.
* Full Name
* Address
* Email Address
* Comment
* Captcha	Get another CAPTCHA code
Note:	Comments containing abusive words or slander shall not be published.