Tragic Bus Accident in Nepal Claims Lives of Indian Pilgrims

A devastating bus accident occurred on Friday in Nepal, where a vehicle carrying over 40 passengers from Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, plunged into the Marsyangdi river, resulting in the deaths of 14 individuals and injuring 16 others. The incident took place around 11:30 a.m. near Aina Pahada in the Tanahun district, prompting immediate rescue efforts. The injured passengers have been transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment, while three individuals remain unaccounted for, according to the Indian Embassy. The bus, operated by Kesarwani Tour and Travels Agency, was part of a three-bus convoy on a 10-day tour of Nepal, which began on August 20. The ill-fated vehicle was en route from the tourist city of Pokhara to the capital, Kathmandu, when it veered off a mountain road and fell nearly 500 feet into the river. Eyewitness reports indicate that the top of the bus was severely damaged in the crash, raising concerns about the fate of the driver, Mustafa, who is currently missing. Rescue operations are underway, with a team of 45 Armed Police Force soldiers deployed to the scene and a Nepal Army Mi-17 helicopter dispatched from Kathmandu to assist in transporting the rescued passengers. The Tanahun district is notorious for landslides, particularly during the monsoon season, which poses significant risks to travelers. Authorities are urging caution as they continue to search for the missing and provide aid to the injured. This tragic incident follows a similar accident in June, where two buses were swept into a river by a landslide in the nearby Chitwan district, highlighting the dangers of road travel in Nepal, especially during the rainy season.