PYUTHAN: The death toll of the bus accident in Khalanga of Pyuthan has reached 10.

An unidentified body has been recovered while it was crushed by the wreckage. Likewise, a person succumbed to injuries while being rushed to Butwal from the Swargadwari Life Care Hospital for further treatment, police said.

(Updated)

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At least 8 dead in Pyuthan bus accident

PYUTHAN: At least eight persons were killed in a bus accident in Pyuthan district headquarters, Khalanga, on Monday.

The ill-fated passenger bus (Na 3 Kha 8383) had left the district headquarters for Bange Maroth of the district when it plunged about 50 feet down the road at around 3:20 pm today, police said.

Five persons lost their life on the spot while three others succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment at the Swargadwari Life Care Hospital in Bijuwar of the district.

Five of the victims have been identified as Narendra GC of Torbang, Lanka Bahadur Rahu Magar of Kapilvastu, Sandesh Sunar of Khalanga, Maya KC of Khaprengkhola and the bus driver Dan Bahadur Pokharel.

Others are yet to be identified.

Police said 22 people have sustained injuries. As many as 12 of them are said to be in critical condition and were referred to the health facilities in Butwal and Nepalgunj for further treatment.

Others are being treated at the Swargadwari Life Care Hospital and the Pyuthan District Hospital.

More than 30 persons including the driver were on board the bus.

Police said the death toll may rise as rescue operations are still underway.

Security personnel from Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police assisted by locals are carrying out the rescue efforts.