On August 23, 2024, a road accident occurred in Nepal leading to the death of at least 27 Indian nationals. The incident took place when a bus carrying approximately 43 passengers veered off the road and plunged into the Marsyangdi River in the Tanahun district around 110 kilometers away from Kathmandu.
The bus was on its way from the tourist city of Pokhara to Kathmandu when the accident happened. All passengers aboard the bus were Indian nationals from Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district.
Also Read: Explosion at Andhra Pradesh Pharma Factory Kills 18
The bus bearing an Indian registration number plate UP FT 7623 reportedly fell about 150 meters into the Marsyangdi River. The bus was discovered lying on the bank of the river after it had plunged into the water.
The exact cause of the accident is still under investigation, but reports suggest that the bus lost control due to the mechanical failure.
Rescue operations were immediately launched involving local authorities, Nepalese security forces and the Nepal Army. Rescuers faced challenges due to the river’s raging currents, which hampered efforts to retrieve passengers from the water.
16 injured passengers were successfully rescued and airlifted by a military helicopter to Kathmandu for urgent medical treatment. The injured are receiving treatment in Kathmandu with the severity of their injuries ranging from minor to critical.
Among the deceased were members of a pilgrimage group from Jalgaon, Maharashtra. The identified victims include Ramjeet alias Munna, Sarla Rane, Bharti Jawade, Tulshiram Tawade, Sarla Tawade, Sandeep Sarode, Pallavi Sarode, Anup Sarode, Ganesh Bharambe, Nilima Dhande, Pankaj Bhangade, Pari Bharambe, Anita Patil, Vijaya Jhawade, Rohini Jhawade and Prakash Kodi.
The identification process is ongoing and the Indian Embassy is coordinating with local authorities to ensure the transportation of the mortal remains back to India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow over the loss of lives offering condolences to the families of the deceased and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.
The Indian Embassy in Nepal is actively involved in coordinating rescue efforts and providing all possible assistance to the victims and their families.
Emergency helpline numbers have been established by the Indian Embassy to facilitate communication and support for the affected families.
The Ministry of External Affairs of India confirmed that they are in constant touch with Nepalese authorities and are working on the early transportation of the deceased back to India.
Maharashtra’s state government has identified and confirmed the deaths of the 16 people from the region and local officials are providing support to the families.
Also Read: Project 2025: The Conservative Blueprint for a Potential Second Trump Administration
The death toll reached 41 by the time of reporting with several passengers dying on the spot while others succumbed to their injuries later.
A total of 16 passengers sustained injuries. They were quickly airlifted to Kathmandu and admitted to Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital.
The condition of the injured varied with several in critical condition. The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu monitored their medical treatment.
PM Modi announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the families of each deceased.
Additionally ₹50,000 was allotted for each injured person. The Indian Air Force dispatched a C-130 J aircraft to Nepal to transport the mortal remains of the victims back to India. The bodies were flown from Bharatpur to Nashik in Maharashtra.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced a financial aid of ₹5 lakh for the families of the deceased from Jalgaon.
The Maharashtra government coordinated with Indian authorities in Nepal to ensure that the bodies and injured individuals were safely returned to India.
Local authorities along with the Nepalese Army and police forces initiated search and rescue operations. Despite the challenging conditions including strong river currents, they were able to retrieve the bodies and rescue the survivors.
The injured were provided with urgent medical care at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu.
Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Nikhil Khadse along with Maharashtra legislator Sanjay Shubhakar visited Nepal to oversee the situation.
On July 12, 2024, a landslide in Nepal’s Chitwan district led to two buses being swept into the Trishuli River resulting in the deaths of at least five Indian nationals.
The buses were carrying 65 passengers including seven Indians, when the landslide occurred triggered by heavy monsoon rains.
The bodies of five Indian nationals were recovered, but two individuals remain missing to this day. The search for the remaining bodies and the wreckage of the buses continues.
Also Read: Shein Reports Child Labour Cases and Upgrades Supplier Policies
