RAUTAHAT: As many as three persons died on the spot while 34 others sustained injuries in a bus accident at Lalbandi of Sarlahi district along the East-West Highway on Sunday morning.

Police have identified the deceased as Shrikant Chaudhary (40) of Ramdhuni Municipality-9, Anil Urau (23) of Duhabi Municipality, both in Sunsari district, and Babi Urau (22) of Budhiganga Rural Municipality-6 in Morang district.

According to Sarlahi District Police Office (DPO), the accident occured as the bus (Ba 3 Kha 1318) en route from Kathmandu to Biratnagar 'went out of control' in Bagwani area at 5:15 am this morning. The bus was ferrying Sindhupalchok-based hydropower workers to Biratnagar.

Five of the severely injured, including two in critical condition — Keshari Chaudhary (25) and Sumit Chaudhary (23) of Ramjani Municipality in Sunsari district — are undergoing treatment at a Biratnagar-based health facility for further treatment, informed Deputy Superintendent of Police Pratit Singh Rathore.

The remaining passengers sustained light injuries and are undergoing treatment at Lalbandi-based City Care Hospital, DSP Rathore added.

There were 37 people on the bus including the driver and assistant driver at the time of the accident.

Meanwhile, police have detained the bus driver Lakpa Chhiring Sherpa (40) of Mani Municipality-7 in Sankhuwasabha district for further investigation.