Kavre, October 23:

Two youths were killed when a passenger bus bound for Banepa from Kathmandu hit the motorcycle they were riding at Janagal on the Araniko Highway this afternoon.

Sajan Sakya, 20, of Banepa municipality and Rajesh Shrestha, 18, of Balaju, Kathmandu, were taking part in a motorbike rally taken out on the occasion Nepal Sambat New Year 1127, police said.

The duo died while being rushed to the Banepa-based Sheer Memorial Hospital, hospital sources said.

The rally was organised by the Banepa-based Leo Club of Kavre. Around 200 motorbikes participated in the rally.

The driver and helper of the bus (Ba 1 Kha 8827) fled to the Banepa Police Office and took refuge there.

Irate participants of the rally set the bus on fire. Police had to call a fire engine from Kathmandu to douse the flames.

Traffic on the highway that was blocked after the incident resumed after two hours, police said.

Meanwhile, two persons — Ram Krishna Humagain, 40, and Sarita Maharjan — were injured when a motorcycle in the rally hit theirs at Panauti.

Also today, one girl was killed on the spot when a jeep headed for Banepa from Nepalthok hit her at Laskot on the BP Highway in the morning, police said.

Locals blocked traffic on the highway till in the evening after the jeep belonging to Dhawa Lama killed her, locals said.