PARBAT: At least seven people have been killed and 30 others injured as a passenger bus fell below the road in Kushma Municipality-1 of Parbat district today morning.

According to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Bhuwanweshwar Tiwari at Parbat District Police Office (DPO), the bus (Ga 1 Kha 6108) en route from Beni in Myagdi district to Narayangadh in Chitwan district plunged about 70 metres onto the Kaligandaki Riverbank, at Maldhunga, at around 8:15 am today.

The DPO has identified the deceased as Rajesh Pun (21) of Pakhapani-1, Myagdi,  Seti Pariyar (40) and her husband Tike Pariyar (50) of Jaljala Rural Municipality-8, Shanti KC (48) of Baglung municipality-4. It is yet to identify two men and a woman killed in the road accident.

The injured were rushed to Dhaulagiri Zonal Hospital in Baglung from where 20 were referred to Pokhara-based Manipal Teaching Hospital.

Of the injured, two passengers who were said to be in critical condition have already been airlifted to Dhapasi-based Grande Hospital in Kathmandu for the treatment.

Others who were injured have been rushed to Dhaulagiri Zonal Hospital, from where they are being for further treatment, the police informed.

Police have blamed the fatal road accident on and over speeding and brake failure of the vehicle that was carrying about 37.

Meanwhile, concerned authorities have urged Nepal Army to make airlift arrangements by helicopters for three others, said Mayor of Baglung Municipality Jankaraj Poudel.

(Translated by Kaustubh Dhital)