DHADING: At least five persons died and 29 sustained injuries as the passenger bus they were travelling on plunged into Trishuli River in Gajuri Rural Municipality-6 of Dhading district on Sunday morning.

Police have identified Bishal Giri of Kanyam in Ilam, Sita Thapaliya of Chandragiri Municipality in Kathmandu, and Rajkumar Subedi of Thankot of Kathmandu as three of the deceased. The identities of the other two have yet to be established.

According to police, the incident occurred when the bus (Na 7 Kha 4387) en route from Kakarvitta to Kathmandu fell below Prithvi Highway into the river near Banchhetar at 6:00 am this morning, killing four on the spot and injuring 30 others.

Immediately after the report of the accident surfaced, personnel from Adamghat-based Armed Police Force, Nepal Police, Nepal Army, Highway rescuers, Red Cross, and locals started the rescue operations.

One of the injured died at Galchhi Hospital during the course of treatment while 14 others have been referred to Kathmandu for further treatment after preliminary treatment.

Meanwhile, other injured are receiving treatment at various health facilities based in Gajuri, Aadamghat and Galchhi.

It has been learnt that there were 30 passengers travelling on the bus at the time of the incident.

Further details of the incident have yet to arrive as the rescue operations are still ongoing, informed District Police Office, Dhading.