Saptakoshi bus accident update: 20 passengers rescued

Published On: September 26, 2024 08:58 PM NPT By: Amar Khadka

ITAHARI, Sept 26: Twenty passengers have been safely rescued from a bus that plunged into the Saptakoshi River on Thursday evening. The bus (Ko 1 Kha 4601) was en route to Gaighat in Udayapur from Biratnagar when it fell into the Saptakoshi River at around 6 PM.

According to Superintendent of Police (SP) Bipin Regmi, Chief of the District Police Office, Sunsari, 20 individuals were safely rescued from the bus after it fell into the Koshi Barrage through Gate No. 35. “So far, the count has reached 20,” he said, “Efforts are still underway to confirm the exact number of passengers.

He said that the police are still at the accident site. The bus reportedly broke through the railing of the Koshi Barrage before losing control and plunged into the river. SP Regmi further mentioned that efforts are currently underway to reduce the water flow to retrieve the bus.

Chief District Officer of Sunsari, Ram Chandra Tiwari, confirmed that 20 passengers have been rescued. “Unless there is any exception, everyone has been rescued,” he said, “Our team remains at the site, and the rescue operation has been completed.”

Police forces from Sunsari and Saptari were deployed for the search operation.