UPDATE KHOTANG:  Death toll in Barkhetar bus accident has reached 24 after one more succumbed to injuries during the course of treatment. According to Police Inspector Saroj Rai of the District Police Office, Khotang, bodies of 17 men and 7 women have been recovered from the incident site. Among the deceased, identities of the 15 persons have been ascertained, Sub-Inpector Tej Bahadur Basnet of the Traffic Police informed. The deceased have been identified as Arjun Upreti of Kathmandu, Santosh Katuwal of Diktel Municipality-14, Govinda Timsina of Dipsung, Rabin Rai of Chyasmitar, Major Rai of Dikuwa-8, Mitra Kumari Rai of Kharmi-5, Bimala Rai of Nirmalidanda-3, Bhairab Rai of Yamkha-7, Drabin Rai of Baswote-3 of Udayapur, Shanta Rai of Tamlicha-7 of Udayapur, Om Shree Rai of Tamlicha-5, Som Sundas of Panchan-1, Solukhumbu, Hem Sunuwar and Bhaju Narayan Shrestha of Thanagaun-3 of Udayapur, Sushma Rai of Solukhumbu. Among the 31 injured, 23 people have been airlifted to Kathmandu for further treatment. Seven injured are being treated at a local health post, police added. The bus (Ba 2 Kha 6373) en route to Kathmandu from Diktel had veered off the road and fell some 100 metres down the road at around 8:30 am.     23 killed in bus accident in Barkhetar of Khotang 12:03 pm KHOTANG: As many as 23 people were killed when a Kathmandu-bound bus met with an accident at Barkhetar of Arkhanle on Tuesday. The identities of the deceased are yet to be established. Police Inspector Saroj Rai of the District Police Office, Khotang, said that 31 people have been rescued alive. The injured have been sent to a health post in Halesi for treatment, Rai added. It has been learned that the number of passengers on board the bus was 28 in the beginning. But, the number increased to 70 when some passengers boarded the bus on their way. Details to follow... At least 40 feared dead in bus accident in Barkhetar 10:40 am KHOTANG: At least 40 people are feared dead when a commuter bus en route to Kathmandu from Diktel met with an accident at Barkhetar of Arkhanle on Tuesday. According to an eye witness, the bus (Ba 2 Kha 6373) veered off the road and fell some 100 metres down the road at around 8:30 am. The incident might have occurred due to narrow road. Locals said that there is a slim chance for passengers to remain alive as the bus was not even visible from the road. It has been learned that the number of passengers on board the bus was 28 in the beginning. But, the number increased to 40 when some passengers boarded the bus on their way. The accident site is four hour walk from district headquarters Diktel. A team has been deployed to the site for rescue operation, said Police Inspector Saroj Rai of the District Police Office, Khotang. The details of the accident are yet to come, police shared. Earlier too, several accidents had taken place in the area.