At least 36 pilgrims, mostly Indians, were killed today when an overcrowded bus skidded off the road and plunged into the Gandak Canal in southern Nepal. The bus was carrying 70 to 80 Hindu pilgrims, mostly from Uttar Pradesh, to a temple in Nawalparasi district, 150 kilometres west of the
capital Kathmandu, police officials in Nawalparasi district said.
The accident site is located some 250 km south west of Kathmandu.
Most of the passengers were going to participate in the Bolbam festival in Tribenighat, they said.
Police has recovered bodies of 25 men, 10 women and a child from the accident site.
The identities of the deceased are not yet known.
Among ten people, who sustained injuries, five men are being treated in Nawalparasi district hospital, while four men and a woman are being treated in Chaupatta Health Centre at Semori village.
The bus was overloaded, which might be the main reason of the accident, police said.
Rescue work was being carried out by the police and Nepal Army with the help of local people.
–PTI