RAUTAHAT: At least 26 people were injured in a bus accident in a Lamaha jungle of Rautahat along the East-West Highway on Wednesday.

District Police Office, Rautahat, informed that three women were critically injured among them.

All three, Saru Rai (20) and Rashmi Nepali (28) of Udayapur-10 and Rishta Rai (20) of Udaypur-2, have already been referred to Kathmandu for further treatment after receiving primary treatment at a hospital in Chandranigahapur, DSP and spokesperson Rajendra Pokharel stated.

The bus (Na 5 Kha 2236) was travelling from Udayapur en route to Kathmandu when it met with the accident at 4:45 am today.

Police also informed that remaining 23 injured are being treated at various hospitals of Chandranigahapur.

Police have assumed that the driver could not control the vehicle as it was travelling at a high speed.

The driver, however, has fled from the scene. Police said they are searching for him.