KATHMANDU: At least four persons died and 16 others were injured when a mini-truck they were travelling on hit a tree on the roadside at Harkapur Chok in Gaindakot-11 of Nawalparasi district along the East-West Highway on Wednesday.

According to the District Police Office, Nawalparasi, the mini-truck (Ba 2 Ka 1137) was heading towards Kathmandu from Salyan when the incident occurred at around 5 am today.

The identities of the deceased are yet to be established.

Police said that the injured are receiving treatment at the Chitwan Medical College in Bharatpur.

Among the injured, two are said to be critical.

It has been learned that the incident occurred after the driver lost control over the vehicle.

Police said that the driver fled the scene after the incident.

Further investigation is underway, police said.