TULSIPUR: The death toll in the passenger bus accident followed by fire in Khaskhusma of Banke on Tuesday  has reached eight.

According to Inspector Jyoti Sharma, eight bodies have been recovered so far. She, however, said that identity of the deceased is yet to be ascertained as the bodies were charred.

Of the total 12 injured, three are undergoing treatment in the primary health post, Lamahi in Dang, while the rest are receiving treatment in Nepalgunj, police said.

The ill-fated passengers bus (Lu 1 Kha 5828) skidded off the road and turned turtle before it caught massive fire at Chhapargauri at Khaskhusma VDC-8 in Banke on Tuesday. The bus was heading to Nepalgunj from Butwal.

Police suspected that the fire broke out as the petroleum products possibly carried by some passengers got in contact with the heat that generated after the bus plunge.

Police said that although Ameliya check point informed that the bus was carrying 33 passengers on board, the exact number of passengers is yet to come by.

Meanwhile, police said that they are searching for the driver who escaped after the incident.

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Seven killed as passenger bus catches fire after accident in Banke