44 die when bus plunges into river in Nepal

44 die when bus plunges into river in Nepal

2011-10-13 20:53:07 GMT+7 (ICT)

KATHMANDU, NEPAL (BNO NEWS) -- More than 40 people were killed on late Thursday morning when a passenger bus went off a highway in Nepal and plunged into a river, officials said. Others were seriously injured.

The accident happened just after 10 a.m. local time when the bus, which was traveling to the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu from Sindhuli in the country's Janakpur Zone, lost control on the BP Highway and plunged into the Sunkoshi River.

The bus was carrying approximately 60 people when it skidded off the road, and local media reported that some passengers were even sitting on the roof of the bus. However, they were able to survive by jumping off the bus before it plunged down some 700 meters (2300 feet) down a hill.

Police said at least 44 people were killed in the accident while 14 others were taken to area hospitals in an unknown condition, although at least some were in a serious condition. Officials feared the death toll could still rise.

The identities of the victims were not immediately known, but police said at least 27 men and 13 women were among those killed. The bus driver, who did not survive the accident, was identified as Prem Tamang.

Most of the passengers were returning home after celebrating the Dashain festivities which is one of the country's most important religious events and is celebrated over the course of 15 days.

Accidents in Nepal are frequently blamed on reckless driving and bad roads due to poor maintenance, killing hundreds of people every year.

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