Bus Plunges Into Trishuli River in Nepal, 17 Killed; Dozens Injured

Kathmandu: At least 17 people were killed after a passenger bus travelling from Pokhara to Kathmandu plunged into the Trishuli River in Nepal’s central Dhading district early Monday, officials said.

Chief District Officer of Dhading, Bijaya Raj Subedi, said 17 people who appeared to have died on the spot were sent for medical confirmation. Twenty-seven others injured in the accident were rushed to local hospitals and medical facilities in Kathmandu for treatment.

The accident occurred around 1:30 am in the Bhaisigauda area of Benighat Rorang Rural Municipality. The bus reportedly veered off the road and fell nearly 300 metres down to the riverbank. Authorities said the exact cause of the accident remains unclear, as the vehicle was travelling in its designated lane at the time.

District officials confirmed that 44 passengers were on board the ill-fated bus.

Rescue teams comprising personnel from the Nepali Army, Armed Police Force, Nepal Police and local residents were deployed immediately. However, the operation faced challenges due to darkness, rugged terrain and limited rescue equipment. The first phase of the rescue mission was completed around 6:30 am, officials said.

Nepal has witnessed a steady rise in road accidents in recent years amid a growing number of vehicles on its roads. According to the Traffic Police Office, 4,999 road accidents were reported a decade ago. In the fiscal year 2024–25, the country recorded 7,669 accidents and 190 deaths, with 278 incidents classified as serious.

A World Bank study has highlighted the mounting economic and social impact of road crashes in Nepal, noting that the economic cost of road traffic injuries has tripled since 2007 and now amounts to nearly 1.5 per cent of the country’s gross national product. The report also stated that over 70 per cent of road fatality victims are vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.