Indian passenger bus plunges into Marsyangdi River in Nepal, 14 confirmed dead

KATHMANDU: In a tragic incident on Friday, an Indian-registered passenger bus carrying around 40 passengers plunged into the Marsyangdi River at Aaina Pahara, Anbu Khaireni-2, in Nepal’s Tanahun district. The accident occurred around 11:30 AM, according to the District Police Office, Tanahun.

The disaster has claimed the lives of at least 14 passengers. Kumar Nyaupane, spokesperson for the Armed Police Force (APF), confirmed that 14 bodies have been recovered from the river. The search and rescue operation is ongoing, with authorities fearing the death toll may rise as more bodies are pulled from the wreckage.

Dipak Kumar Raya, spokesperson and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) at the District Police Office, provided initial details of the incident. “It is said that the passenger bus fell from Aaina Pahara into the Marsyangdi River. We have reached the incident scene, but further details are yet to be received,” DSP Raya stated.

The bus was reportedly en route to a destination in Nepal when it veered off the road and fell into the river. The exact cause of the accident is still under investigation, but authorities suspect that the heavy rainfall and slippery road conditions in the area might have contributed to the tragedy. The region has been experiencing incessant rainfall, leading to floods and landslides, further exacerbating road conditions.

Rescue operations have been initiated, with local authorities, police, and emergency services working tirelessly to reach the submerged bus and save any potential survivors. The swift currents of the Marsyangdi River, bolstered by the monsoon season’s heavy rains, are complicating rescue efforts.