NAWALPARASI: As many as 47 persons were injured when a bus they were travelling on fell into a roadside pit in Ramgram Municipality-15 of Nawalparasi district this morning.

The bus (Ga 1 kha 3189) carrying students of Devjyoti Primary School in Bharatpur Metropolitan City-16 of Chitwan district fell into the pit injuring 41 students, four teachers and two bus staffers aboard the vehicle, at Sukrauli along the Bhairahawa-Bhumahi road at around 10:00 am today.

Locals had rescued the passengers from the pit filled with water where the bus fell, according to the District Police Office, Nawalparasi.

As many as five of the injured who were said to be in critical condition have been rushed to a health institution in Bharatpur while others are undergoing treatment at the Parasi-based Prithvi Chandra Hospital, said police.

The incident occurred after a suspension spring of the bus broke suddenly and ran out of control before falling into the pit, according to police.

It has been learnt that the students were heading to Lumbini on an educational tour.