Toll reaches 9 in Baitadi mishap

BAITADI: The number of deceased went up to nine in the Baitadi bus tragedy on Wednesday evening. The passenger bus had been traveling from Gothalpani to Dhandgadhi when it met with an accident in Dehimandu, Baitadi. At least 36 persons were injured and seven were killed on the spot.

Two of the seriously injured died on the way to the Pithuragadha, India. The identities of the two have not been establised yet. According to DSP Nava Raj Bhatta of District Police Office Baitadi, the deceased have been identified as Surendra Dhami of Dehimandu-7, Man Singh Dhami, 28, of Gajari-6 Irana, Padam Raj Ojha, 29, of Shree Kedar-2, Keshav Raj Joshi,18, of Rim-9, Karan Chanda, 23, of Jimalkattaya and Prakash Mahar, 28, of Dasharth Chanda Municipality, Baitadi.

The postmortem has not yet been carried out due to the unavailability of doctors. Dr Surya Bhusal of district hospital Baitadi has been absent for two months. Hospital sources said that doctors have been called from the other neighbouring districts.