Over 30 killed after a passenger bus plunges into river

At least 31 people were killed Thursday morning after an overcrowded passenger bus plunged into Karnali River in far western part of the country.

The ill-fated bus heading towards Surkhet from Kalikot plunged into Karnali River after skidding 150 meter off the road in Pipalbot area in Dailekh at about 7 am. The bus plunged into River while negotiating sharp bend on the way.

The accident spot lies some 320 km west of Kathmandu, the capital city.

Twelve passengers, ten of them critically injured, have been rescued from the accident spot. A helicopter from Nepalgunj has air-lifted the injured for further treatment in Surkhet. The driver of the bus is among the injured, according to police involved in treatment.

Locals and security personnel are continuing rescue operations at the site of the accident. Police said the number of deceased may go up as there is little hope of finding more survivors.

It is still unclear as to how many passengers were on board the ill-fated bus. Eyewitness said the bus left with 20 passengers from Manma, the headquarters of Kalikot district, but the number reached over 50 on the way.

- Asian Tribune -