Chitwan, January 16:

Four persons were killed and at least 31 injured when a bus heading to Dhangadhi from Kathmandu met with an accident at Chumling of Darechowk-2 in Chitwan today.

The deceased have been identified as Prem Singh Joshi (45), secretary of Kailali district committee of the Nepali Congress; Krishna Bahadur Gharti (34) and Thakkar Singh (24) of Kailali.

According to Chitwan District Police Office, another deceased, a woman in her thirties, remains unidentified.

Three passengers died on the spot and Singh breathed his last while undergoing treatment in Bharatpur Medical College Hospital, the police said.

Five passengers who sustained critical injuries were taken to Kathmandu for treatment while the rest of the injured are getting treatment in different hospitals in Chitwan Medical. Police said the condition of 10 passengers is reportedly critical.

The bus met with the accident due to high speed, according to passenger Tapendra Pandey.