POKHARA, April 22: The police have identified the five pilgrims killed in the bus accident that took place at Kagbeni in Jomsom district on Saturday.
Two women and three men are among those killed. According to DSP Harinath Yogi, the deceased are Lila Khadka, 55, of Mahalaxmi Municipality-2, Sita Timilsina, 40, of Mahalaxmi Municipality-8, Bhaktapur district, Bhola Adhikari, 55, of Kathmandu Metropolitan City(KMC)-35, Purushottam Dhakal,45, of KMC- 32 and Kanchi Khadka, 70, of KMC-3.
1.3 million people leave Kathmandu Valley in a week for Dashain
The seriously injured 15 passengers have been airlifted to Pokhara by the Nepal Army helicopter. The bus was carrying 35 passengers. The accident took place as the ill-fated bus, Na 5 Kha 6067, heading to Jomsom carrying pilgrims from Muktinath met with an accident at Kagbeni, said Yogi.
It is believed that the brake failure is the cause behind the accident, following which the bus went out of control and fell some 60 meters down the road.
The victims had reserved the bus to visit the holy shrine.
The bodies have been kept at Jomsom District Hospital. The accident site is 23 km north of Jomsom.