The number of confirmed deaths in the Barkhetar bus accident has climbed to 24 with rescue operation still continuing on a steep cliff face where the bus has been lodged on a bamboo grove.
The passenger bus (Ba 2 Kha 6373) en route to Kathmandu from Diktel veered off the road plunging some 150 meters at around 8:00 am at Arkhole of Barkhetar area, according to police.
The bus is now perilously stuck on bamboo grove protruding from the face of a steep cliff. The cause of the accident has been blamed to narrow road and overload of passengers.
The bus was carrying 70 passengers, which overshoots its capacity by a high margin.
Among the deceased 17 are men and seven women with the identities of 17 confirmed.
The dead include bus driver Arjun Upreti from Kathmandu, Udayapur’s Shanta Rai, her son Om Sri, Uddim Rai, Hem Sunuwar, Bhawin Rai and Baju Narayan Shrestha, said Phurgeli Sherpa, Inspector with the Armed Police Force, Halesi of Gulmi.
The other victims have been identified as Bimala Rai, Santosh Katuwal, Surendra Rai, Major Rai, Bhairav Rai, Netra Kumari Rai, Govinda Timalsena and Khum Bahadur Rai from Khotang and Sushma Rai and Som Sundas from Solukhumbu.
At least 23 passengers with severe injuries have been airlifted to Kathmandu for treatment on Nepal Army chopper.
Seven other passengers who were also injured are reported to be out of danger. They are receiving treatment at Halesi Health Post. RSS
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