Pokhara, 23 February | A devastating road accident occurred when a passenger bus traveling from Pokhara to Kathmandu plunged into the Trishuli River, resulting in the confirmed deaths of at least 17 individuals. The vehicle reportedly veered off the highway and fell approximately 300 meters down a steep slope before hitting the water. Assistant Chief District Officer Mohan Prasad Neupane, who is currently at the disaster site, stated that there were an estimated 46 passengers on board at the time of the crash. A massive search and rescue operation is currently underway, involving coordinated efforts from the Nepal Army, the Armed Police Force, and the Nepal Police. Rescuers are utilizing boats to ferry victims from the riverbanks to waiting ambulances for immediate transport to medical facilities.
According to Bishnu Prasad Bhatta, the central spokesperson for the Armed Police Force, the bodies of 13 men and 4 women have been recovered so far. However, the identities of the deceased and the injured have not yet been formally established. Security personnel have noted that the challenging terrain and nighttime conditions are significantly hampering the pace of the rescue efforts. A specialized Disaster Management team led by DSP Sunil Giri from Adamghat, along with a team of expert divers from Kurintar, has been deployed to the scene. The Chief District Officer is also present to oversee the emergency operations. Authorities are working tirelessly to locate the remaining missing passengers as the community grapples with the scale of this tragic event on a major national highway.
