Accidents leave eight pilgrims, 10 others dead

JANAJPUR/PYUTHAN, August 10

Eight pilgrims were among 18 people killed in two road accidents in different parts of the country on Monday.

Eight pilgrims died on the spot, while 35 others sustained injuries when a bus carrying pilgrims plunged 20 metres down the road at Patu of Bardibas municipality in Mahottari at 6:00pm on Monday.

The bus, which was carrying Bolbam devotees from Langurkhola-based Shiva Temple of Sindhuli, fell off the road after the driver lost control of the vehicle due to overspeed, said Inspector Chandreshwor Yadav of Area Police Office Bardibas, Mahottari. One woman was among the deceased, none of whom has been identified so far.

Efforts to rescue the injured are under way with the joint efforts from the security personnel of Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and Nepali Army. Six of the injured are in critical condition and have been receiving treatment at Bardibas-based hospitals.

In another accident, 10 people were killed and 21 injured when a commuter bus fell 200 metres into a gorge in Pyuthan this afternoon.

According to Pyuthan District Police Office, the bus was on its way to Sautamare of Bagemaroth VDC from district headquarters Khalanga.

Six people died on the spot while four breathed their last while undergoing treatment at Bijuwar-based Swargadwari Lifecare Hospital.

As per DSP Tul Bahadur Karki, seven of the deceased have been identified as Narendra GC of Torbang, Sandesh Sunar of Khalanga, Maya KC of Khaprengkhola, Hasta Bahadur Basnet, bus driver Dan Bahadur Pokhrel of Pyuthan municipality, Lanka Bahadur Rahumagar of Kapilvastu and Sita Pandit Gadhawa of Dang.

Of the injured, 10 have been receiving treatment at district hospital, while 11 critically injured are undergoing treatment at Butwal and Nepalgunj-based health facilities, said police. According to the police, the bus skidded off the road while giving side to a motorbike coming from the opposite direction.