GAIGHAT: At least three persons were killed and 32 others injured after the tractor they were travelling on fell below the road in Rangamahal of Belaka Municipality-8 in Udayapur district on Sunday.

Of the injured, five are said to be in critical condition.

The deceased have been identified as Binita Chaudhary (19), Indra Chaudhary (20) and Dipika Chaudhary (20) of Belaka Municipality-2 in the district.

According to Police Inspector Nabin Kumar Singh at Rampur Thoksila-based Area Police Office, the tractor (Sa 1 Ta 5850) heading to Belaha in Tapeshwari area fell 25 metres below the road at an inclined turn along the Dharan-Chatara-Gaighat road section of Madan Bhandari Lokmarga, at around 5:00 pm yesterday.

There were altogether 36 people travelling on the ill-fated tractor which was returning home after having a picnic at Koshi Bridge in Chataraghat, located in the border area between Udayapur and Sunsari districts, police informed.

The injured were sent to Dharan-based BP Koirala Institute of health sciences for the treatment. Three of them were pronounced dead on arrival while others underwent treatment at the hospital. Belaka Municipality Mayor Durga Kumar Thapa reached the hospital to enquire after the injured ones.

It has been reported that others who also attended the picnic were travelling on another tractor.