Zeenews Bureau
Katmandu: At least 39 pilgrims, most of whom are said to be from north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, were killed on Sunday when an overcrowded bus, heading for a Hindu festival in southern Nepal, veered off a rain-slicked highway and fell into a flooded canal in southern Nepal.
Information about the Indians involved in the accident can be obtained on the Indian embassy control room number +97714412135.
The bus, carrying 100 to 120 Hindu pilgrims, was heading for a temple situated in the Nawalparasi district, 150 kilometres west of Nepal’s capital Kathmandu, police officials said.
Most of the passengers were going to attend the Bolbam festival in Tribenighat, they added.
The accident site -- Gandak Canal -- is located some 250 km south west of Kathmandu.
The bus first got stuck in the muddy roadside while letting a truck and a tractor coming from the opposite direction to pass by and abruptly plunged into the canal while gearing up to get over the swampy area, reports said.
Among the 39 people killed were 10 women and a girl child. The identities of the deceased are not yet known.
Ten Indians were also injured in the accident. Among ten people, who sustained injuries, five men are being treated in Nawalparasi district hospital, while four men and a woman are being treated in Chaupatta Health Centre at Semori village.
The bus was overloaded, which might be the main reason of the accident, police said.
Different versions of the events emerged after the accident, with some survivors claiming that the driver was drunk.
Some of passengers were travelling on the roof of the vehicle, reports said.
Police have cordoned off the entire area.
Rescue work was being carried out by the police and Nepal Army with the help of local people.
A team from the Indian embassy in Kathmandu, with doctor and an official from the Consulate General of India, Birgunj, were dispatched to the site of the accident.
The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu also set up a control room to provide information about Indian nationals involved in bus accident.
With PTI inputs
