JAJARKOT, March 10: Identities of all 26 deceased in Jajarkot accident have been ascertained on Friday, informed District Police Office (DPO), Jajarkot.

Among the deceased are Ram Bahadur Basnet of Laha-4, Madan Pun of Seema-9, Nabin Chand of Bherimalika-4, Ganesh Bohara of Ranagaun, Dil Bahadur Budha of Dasera-1, Santosh Rana of Bherimalika-10, Bahadur Bhanari of Bherimalika-12, Jajarkot, and Krishna Giri of Chaurjahari, Rukum, among others, according to Deputy Inspector of Police (DSP) Bhabesh Rimal, chief of the DPO.

The ill-fated bus (Na 3 Kha 2279) veered off the road and fell some 200 meters at Bohara of Bherimalika -4 in Jajarkot on Thursday. The bus was carrying over 70 passengers at the time of the accident, which is said to have taken place due to overload, over speed and break failure, according to the survivors.

Among the injured, 22 are undergoing treatment in Nepalgunj Medical College. Eight of the injured are waiting to be airlifted, police said. Five of the injured who sustained minor injuries are undergoing treatment in Jajarkot District Hospital.

According to police, a helicopter of Nepal Army airlifted 18 critically injured to Nepalgunj at around 1 pm on Friday. Four of the critically injured were already transferred to Nepalgunj by their relatives.

“We have not been able to send additional eight critically injured to Nepalgunj due to the current bad weather,” informed Chief District Officer (CDO) Krishna Chandra Paudel. “They will be transferred immediately after we notice improvements in weather condition.”

Families of the deceased have demanded proper compensation. Victims' families have also demanded the government to provide cost of full treatment of the victims. Putting forth their demands, they demonstrated in Khalanga Bazaar on Friday. Locals also organized sit-in protest in District Administration Office (DAO), Jajarkot.

Weak law enforcement by the government and negligence of transport entrepreneurs has been causing lots of road accidents in the country time and again. It has led to huge loss of lives and properties, according to the demonstrators.

“The government's negligence in removing old vehicles has led to lots of accidents. Likewise, transport entrepreneurs' greed is also to be blamed equally,” said Gokarna Chand, a local.

CDO Paudel said they are holding discussions to compensate families of the deceased and provide treatment costs to the injured.

 
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