KATHMANDU: At least five persons died and several others sustained injuries when a jeep they were travelling in met with an accident in Sankhuwasabha today.

The deceased have been identified as Chair of Makalu Rural Municipality Khadga Katuwal, and Suresh Rai of Hiranya in the RM.

Of the deceased, identification of three is yet to be ascertained, informed the Sankhuwasabha District Police Office.

The jeep (Ba 5 Cha 1309) fell some 700 metres below the road in Chammatar of the Rural Municipality in the district at around 12:45 this afternoon, killing five persons.

Police have suspected the horrible road condition for the cause of the accident. "We do not know the exact cause but our team has already reached the incident site to get details and investigate into the case," said the DPO.

Further investigation is underway.