KATHMANDU: At least nine persons have lost their lives and four others sustained injuries when the jeep they were travelling in skidded off the road and fell 200 metres below at Thaudi in Bajhang district this afternoon, police said.

The identities of the deceased are yet to be ascertained.

According to police, the jeep (Se 1 Jha 1072) was heading to Masta Rural Municipality from Chainpur, district headquarters, before the accident around 3:00 pm today.

Far-Western Province Police Chief, DIG Suraj KC said rescue operation is underway.

DIG Suraj KC, Chief District Officer of Bajhang, Suresh Sunar, SP Surya Bahadur KC among others have reached the site following the fatal accident in the district.