PHIDIM: At least seven persons including Panchthar Chief District Officer and District Police Office Chief were hurt when a vehicle they were riding on met with an accident near Tahari in Bharpa VDC-8 of Panchthar district on Thursday.

The team was returning on a Toyota vehicle (Me 1 Jha 65) belonging to the District Administration Office after laying the foundation stone of Chyanthapu Border Police Post in the district.

The injured have been identified as CDO Puruspottam Ghimire, DPO Chief DSP Krishna Prasad Koirala, Nepal Television journalist Sujan Timilsina and Karobar daily journalist Bhim Kumar Baskota.

They are currently receiving treatment at the Panchthar District Hospital, added police.

Meanwhile, one of the injured security personnel, Nawaraj Banjara, is said to be in the critical condition.

Police said the brake failure led to the accident.