42 killed in Salyan bus accident

At least 42 people were killed and over 35 others injured when a packed bus met with an accident near Luham Bazaar in Tribeni VDC of Salyan district, mid-western region, Saturday morning.

The ill-fated bus heading for Tulsipur of Dang district from Salyan skidded some 125 meters off the road and plunged into a ravine, police sources in Dang said. 32 passengers died on the spot, eight on the way to hospital and two others died during treatment at Mahendra Hospital, Dang.

Nearly 100 people were travelling in the Ra-1-Kha 185 bus belonging to Rapti Yatayat. Local people, Nepali Army and police officials and local Maoist activists were involved in rescued rescue works.

18 of the dead including the driver of the bus, Bal Krishna Khadgi, have been identified. Among the 42 victims, 16 were women and five children. All the dead bodies have kept at the district hospital in Khalanga, the district headquarters of Salyan.

Brake failure is said to be the reason behind the accident.

The injured passengers have been undergoing treatment in Mahendra Hospital in Dang and Nepalgunj. At least a dozen passengers are said to be in critical condition. nepalnews.com mk Oct 28 06

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