Trishuli bus plunge: Death toll reaches 19

At least 19 persons have died and another 24 injured when a passenger-ferrying bus heading to Kathmandu from Pokhara met with an accident in Dhading early this morning.

The bus (Ga 1 Kha 1421) plunged into the Trishuli River off the Prithvi Highway in Benighat Rorang Rural Municipality-5, Bhainsigauda at around 1.30 am on Monday morning. 

The bodies of 19 people who died in the accident have been recovered so far. According to Bishnu Prasad Bhatta, spokesperson of the Armed Police Force (APF), 24 injured were rescued and rushed to various hospitals for treatment. Identities of the nine deceased have been established. Likewise, the cause behind the accident has also not yet been determined. 

A rescue operation is underway at the accident site in coordination among all three security agencies. 

For the rescue operation, a team with divers from the APF Nepal Disaster Management Unit at Adamghat has been mobilised, he informed.

APF's DSP Sunil Giri from the Disaster Management Training School, Kurintar is leading the command for rescue efforts.

Earlier this month, a bus carrying wedding guests caught an accident in Purchaudi, Baitadi killing at least 13 people. The bus was on its way back from Sunkuda in Bajhang after escorting a bride from Ward 7 of Purchaudi Municipality.

Additionally, a passenger bus traveling from Kathmandu to Okhaldhunga plunged into the Tamakoshi River near Manthali Municipality in Ramechhap district on February 10. The accident killed 10 people.