Kathmandu, Feb 23: A devastating accident occurred early Monday morning when a passenger bus fell into the Trishuli river in Nepal's Dhading district, resulting in the deaths of at least 18 individuals and injuring 26 others.

Officials reported that the bus, which was en route from Pokhara to Kathmandu, plunged into the river along the Prithvi Highway around 1:30 AM, approximately 90 kilometers west of the capital.

Among the deceased was a male passenger from New Zealand, while two women, one from Japan and another from the Netherlands, were among the injured.

Bishnu Prasad Bhatta, spokesperson for the Armed Police Force, confirmed that 17 bodies had been retrieved from the scene, and 28 injured passengers were rescued.

"Seventeen bodies have been recovered, and 28 injured individuals have been taken to various hospitals for treatment," Bhatta stated.

District authorities indicated that there were 44 passengers aboard the bus at the time of the incident.

Bijaya Raj Subedi, the Chief District Officer of Dhading, mentioned that the deceased have been sent for medical verification, while the injured have been transferred to hospitals in the local area and Kathmandu.

"We have dispatched 17 individuals who seem to have died at the scene for medical confirmation. Additionally, 27 others have been sent for treatment at various hospitals," Subedi explained.

He also noted, "The cause of the accident remains unknown, as the bus was operating within its designated lane."

Rescue efforts commenced promptly, involving personnel from the Nepali Army, Armed Police Force, Nepal Police, and local volunteers.

However, authorities reported that the rescue operation faced challenges due to darkness, difficult terrain, and insufficient equipment. The initial phase of the rescue concluded around 6:30 AM.

While the precise cause of the accident is still under investigation, police suspect that excessive speed may have contributed to the incident.

Nepal has seen a troubling increase in road accidents in recent years, coinciding with a rise in the number of vehicles on the roads.

In the fiscal year 2024–25, the nation recorded 7,669 road accidents, resulting in 190 fatalities, with 278 categorized as serious incidents.

A World Bank report indicates that the economic impact of road traffic injuries in Nepal has tripled since 2007, now accounting for nearly 1.5% of the country's gross national product.

Over 70% of road traffic fatalities involve vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.

With inputs from agencies