A tragic accident occurred in Nepal on Friday when a bus carrying 43 Indian tourists and crew members plunged into a rain-swollen river, resulting in the deaths of more than half of those on board, according to a spokesperson from the Nepali armed police.
Spokesperson Shailendra Thapa reported that 27 people lost their lives and 16 others were injured in the crash. The bus, carrying 41 passengers and two crew members, all Indian nationals, was traveling from the tourist city of Pokhara to the capital, Kathmandu.
The mountainous region’s roads are notoriously difficult to navigate, often narrow and dangerous, making it challenging to maneuver large vehicles around sharp curves.
Rescue teams pulled 22 survivors from the swollen waters of the Marsyangdi River in Tanahun district, located about 118 km (73 miles) from Kathmandu. Of those rescued, 12 were seriously injured and were airlifted to the capital for treatment. At least six people died in the hospital, according to Thapa.
Police and army teams used long metal ladders to descend to the river, employing ropes to retrieve the injured and deceased. Video footage showed exhausted women and children lying among debris on the riverbanks, as rescuers worked tirelessly, pulling a nearly unconscious child to safety.
India’s Uttar Pradesh, the state from which the passengers had boarded the bus, is sending an official to help coordinate rescue efforts, as reported by news agency ANI.
