DHADING: Three persons died and 16 others sustained injuries while 23 others went missing after the bus they were travelling on plunged into Trishuli River in Benighat Rorang Rural Municipality-3 of Dhading district in the wee hours today.

The deceased have been identified as Raj Narayan Rauniyar, his wife Shova Rauniyar, and Saurabh Rauniyar, all residents of Brahmapuri Rural Municipality-4 in Sarlahi district.

Likewise, the injured have been identified as bus driver Laxman Jamarkatel, Bhupendra Kumar Yadav, Anish Raya, Sunita Rokaya, Shikhar Kumar Mahato, Rakesh Baitha, Sanjay Mahato, Jehendar Thakur, Rohit Kumar Mandal, Shamim Raja Ansari, Dhirendra Thakur, Vijaya Raya Yadav, Dinesh Thakur, Bhogendra Chaudhary, and Rahul whose last name is not known. Identity of one injured is yet to be ascertained.

According to the Gajuri-based Area Police Office, the bus (Na 6 Kha 7469) heading towards Kathmandu from Sarlahi district fell into the river killing three persons and injuring 16 others, at Salanghat along the Prithivi Highway, at around 3:30 am today.

After receiving information about the incident, Gajuri-based Area Police Office, Dhading District Police Office, Adamghat-based Armed Police Force, Devi Datta Battalion based in Gajuri, Red Cross Society's rescue team immediately reached the incident site and carried out rescue operation with the help of locals.

The injured were rescued and rushed to various hospitals for treatment.

The bus was carrying more than 50 persons. It has been reported that the bus had started its journey from Malangawa carrying three staffers and 40 passengers before two others joined from Haripur, police informed.

Police carrying out the rescue operation stated that they were having hassles as the incident occurred at a difficult place below the road.

Meanwhile, security personnel have carried on with the rescue operation searching for those who have gone missing in the river.

(UPDATED)

Three dead as bus plunges into Trishuli River

DHADING: At least three persons died after the bus they were travelling on plunged into Trishuli River in Benighat Rorang Rural Municipality-3 of Dhading district in the wee hours today.

According to the Gajuri-based Area Police Office, the bus (Na 6 Kha 7469) heading towards Kathmandu from Sarlahi district, fell into the river at Salanghat along the Prithivi Highway, at around 3:30 am today.

After receiving information about the incident, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force of Nepal, Nepal Army and volunteers of Red Cross Society with the help of locals immediately started rescue efforts.

Police carrying out the rescue operation informed that they were having hassles as the incident occurred at a difficult place below the road.

The bus was carrying at least 40 persons including the driver, police informed and added that 10 of the passengers who were seriously injured have been rescued and rushed to various hospitals for treatment.

Meanwhile, security personnel have carried on with rescue operation searching for those who have gone missing in the river.

Further details of the incident are awaited.