Indian registered bus plunges into Marsyangdi river, 11 confirmed dead

At least 11 people lost their lives when an Indian-registered passenger bus, bearing the license plate UP FT 7623, plunged into the Marsyangdi River in Nepal’s Tanahun district.

The accident occurred early morning on August 23 near Aaina Pahara, as the bus was en route from the popular tourist city of Pokhara to the capital, Kathmandu.

The bus, reportedly carrying around 40 passengers, veered off the road and plummeted into the river, which is known for its strong currents.

Rescue operations were immediately launched by a team of 45 personnel from the Armed Police Force, led by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Madhav Paudel.

As of now, 11 bodies have been recovered, while rescue teams continue to search for any survivors or additional casualties.

DSP Deepkumar Raya of the Tanahun district police confirmed the incident, highlighting the severity of the accident. Visuals from the scene show the bus lying in a wrecked condition along the riverbank, further emphasizing the impact of the fall.

The incident has sparked concern in India as well, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, where authorities are attempting to determine whether any residents of the state were involved in the accident. The Uttar Pradesh relief commissioner is coordinating with Nepalese authorities for further information.

This devastating accident is part of a worrying trend of road mishaps in Nepal, exacerbated by the country's challenging terrain and monsoon season.

Just last month, 65 passengers were swept away in a swollen river following a landslide that pushed two buses off the road in Nepal’s Trishuli River.

Also Read: Nepal landslide twin bus accident: Search operations called off with 57 still missing; one Indian among 5 bodies found

Since the beginning of the monsoon season this year, at least 62 people have died in various rain-related incidents across Nepal, with another 90 injured.

Officials from Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority have issued warnings that the ongoing monsoon season could potentially affect up to 1.8 million people, urging caution and preparedness to prevent further tragedies.

As the rescue mission continues, families and officials on both sides of the border await more information, hoping for any news of survivors.

This is a developing story, further details are awaited as the incident is being closely monitored by local authorities and international agencies.