KAWASOTI: Two persons have lost their lives and 32 have sustained injuries in a bus-truck collision that took place in Nawalpur district along the East-West Highway Saturday morning.

The deceased have been identified as driver of the bus, Suraj BK (23) of Kohalpur Municipality-4 in Banke district and passenger Laxman Tharu (24) of Baanganga Municipality-2 in Kapilvastu district, said District Police Office, Nawalpur.

The incident occurred when the bus (Na 7 Kha 5629) en route from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu collided head-on with the truck (Na 6 Kha 7719) coming from the opposite direction in Danda of Kawasoti Municipality-16, according to police. The bus had left Nepalgunj around 3:30 am.

Among the injured, eleven are known to be in critical condition, who are receiving treatment in Bharatpur. Four are undergoing treatment at Madhyabindu Hospital in Danda while 17 others at Kaligandaki Hospital in Kawasoti.

Police further informed that details of the injured persons are being collected to identify them. Further investigation into the case is underway.

Currently, only one way traffic is being operated at the incident site.