Death Toll from Dhading Bus Plunge Rises to 18

The death toll from the early-morning bus accident in Dhading has risen to 18 after another injured passenger succumbed to injuries during treatment. Twenty-two others injured in the incident are currently receiving medical care at hospitals in Kathmandu.

The ill-fated bus (Ga 2 Kha 1421), operated by Machhapuchchhre Tours and Travels, was en route to Kathmandu from Pokhara when it plunged into the Trishuli River at Charaundi in Benighat Rorang Rural Municipality-7 along the Prithvi Highway on Monday morning.

According to Paban Kumar Bhattarai, Spokesperson for the Kathmandu District Police Range, 12 of the injured are being treated at the National Trauma Centre, while 10 others are at the National City Hospital in Kalanki. One patient, whose identity is yet to be confirmed, died while undergoing treatment at the hospital, Bhattarai added.

Those undergoing treatment at the National City Hospital include nine men and one woman. Among them are Rajesh Kunwar (33) of Sitapaila, Subin Malla (18) of Tanahun, Pratibha Paudel (35) of Lekhnath, Kaski, Chandrasis Phunyal (23) of Devinagar, Kaski, Sangam Malla (19) of Kathmandu, Pramila Bhattarai (39) of Chisua, Kaski, Dambar Bahadur BK (64) of Syangja, Krishna Tiwari (25) of Kalanki, Kathmandu, Sunam Gurung (20) of Kaski, and Rajendra Bisunke (36) of Dhunibeshi, Dhading.

The injured receiving treatment at the National Trauma Centre include seven men and five women: Anji Sherpa (48) of Bouddha, Kathmandu; Som Prasad Malla (45) of Tanahu; Bipin Manandhar (30) of Jhapa; Puja Phuyal (28) of Gokarna, Kathmandu; Sachindra Sunar (26) of Phedikhola, Syangja; Pradip Lamichhane of Lekhnath, Kaski; Norbu Palden of Bouddha, Kathmandu; Swarnima Khatri of Kapan, Kathmandu; Salina Pariyar (19) of Kaski; Man Bahadur Thapa (44) of Tanahu; Lansanggoli Lama (48) of Boudha, Kathmandu; and a 22-year-old Chinese national.

Bus Departed Pokhara at 7 PM Sunday

Further details have emerged regarding the bus’s journey. Ain Kumar Sai, chairperson of the Prithvi Highway Bus Operation Company, confirmed that the bus departed Pokhara at 7:00 pm on Sunday carrying 34 passengers. The vehicle was owned by Omkumar Shrestha of Jamune, Tanahun, who was also aboard at the time of the accident.

Company staff have reached the incident site from Malekhu to assist with relief efforts and gather more information. Police have reported that the bus driver, Sujit Nepali, remains untraced. The injured are being treated at trauma centres in Kathmandu as well as at local hospitals. -- RSS