At least 14 people have lost their lives after a bus carrying passengers from India plunged into a river in Nepal, according to officials.
The bus, which was en route from Pokhara to Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, was carrying approximately 40 passengers when it fell into the Marsyangdi River in the Tanahun district.
Rescue operations are currently underway at the accident site, which is located on the riverbank. The cause of the accident and the identities of the victims have yet to be confirmed.
Deepkumar Raya, a senior police official from Tanahun, told news agency ANI that the bus, bearing the number plate UP FT 7623, had plunged into the river and was lying on the riverbank. The vehicle is registered in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of Maharashtra has confirmed that some of the victims were from his state. He stated that efforts are being coordinated with the Uttar Pradesh government to repatriate the bodies of the deceased in collaboration with the Nepalese authorities.
Footage from the accident site shows the wreckage of the bus at the bottom of a steep slope, with rescue teams searching for survivors amidst the debris. A helicopter from the Nepal army, carrying a medical team, has been dispatched to assist in the rescue efforts.
The bus route from Pokhara to Kathmandu is a popular one among Indian tourists and pilgrims. However, accidents in Nepal are not uncommon, often attributed to factors such as poor road and vehicle maintenance, as well as the challenging terrain in mountainous areas.
In July, a landslide in Nepal swept two passenger buses into the Trishuli River, leaving dozens of people missing.
