Bus Accident in Palpa, 14 Reported Dead

A bus accident has been reported this morning at Bhalukhola in Chidipani – 2 of Palpa along the Siddhartha Highway. It is reported that while the Lu 1 Kha 4924 no. bus was heading towards Bhairahawa from Pokhara, the accident happened around 2:30 AM last night. The bus fell approximately 300 m down into Bhalukhola. In the mishap, 12 passengers were dead at spot and two died during treatment at Lumbini Medical College in Prabhas.

Police reported that the number of dead has reached 14 with seven deadly injured. The treatment of four injured is ongoing at United Mission Hospital and other three have been enrolled in Lumbini Medical College. Police has alleged that the mishap happened as the driver might have been asleep.

Among the dead are: the bus owner, Mohan KC, 28 of Bhimgitthe, Baglung, driver of the bus, Ram Bahadur Rana Magar, 33 of Mujung – 8, Palpa, Giri Raj Bhattarai of Myalpokhari, Gulmi, Dil Bahadur Basnet of Simichaur, Raj Bahadur Gurung, 38 of Morbang – 9, Rukum, Baburam Acharya of Thulo Pokhari, Parbat, Raj Kumar Sunar, 22 of Khaulalakuri, Gopal Dhakal, 49 of Biratnagar, Morang, Birat Singh Thakuri, 21 of Magaragadi, Bardiya, Buddhi Bahadur BK of Bharat Pokhari, Kaski, Padam Majhi, 63 of Narpani – 7, Arghakhachi, Tek Raj Poudel, 31 of Kaudia – 5, Dang and Ramu Oli, 26 of Mangragadi – 9.

The injured were rescued with help from the locals, police and soldiers. District Police Office of Palpa reported that the locals and police couldn’t save the lives since it became difficult to instantly rescue the passengers from dangerous cliff. The number passengers riding in the bus is still unknown. The 3 Km distance taking of the accidental road is listed as the most accidental area. Last year also, 15 people died on a bridal bus accident in the same road. Lately, there have been frequent reports of bus accidents in Nepal. Mostly, night buses have seen susceptible mishaps.

We express our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wish soon recovery of the injured. We also pray for that such mishaps won’t happen in coming days.