The bus (Na. 3 Kha 4738), operated by Madhya Paschim Transport Entrepreneurs´ Association, fell about 150 meters down the road at Nepa VDC of Dailekh district, said the police. [break]
The deceased have been identified as Tarka Bahadur Karki (24), Harka Bahadur Biswokarma (45) and Bhage Kami (60) of Sigaudi VDC in Dailekh district, Deukala Saud (37) of Raniban VDC in Achham, Kashi Ram Bishta (22) of Kalikasthan VDC in Accham and Kshitiz Rawal (4) of Puletola VDC of Achham. While Saud and Bishta breathed their last while being rushed to Surkhet for treatment, four others died on the spot, according to SP Bishwo Niranjan Pradhan.
Five of the injured are said to be in critical condition. Krishna Bahadur Shahi of Bhairabkali VDC in Dailekh, Jalu Tiruwa of Rajhena VDC in Banke, Pankaj Majhi of Rakam VDC in Dailekh and Prakash Bishta of Kalikastha VDC in Accham have been referred to Nepalgunj for further treatment.
Survivors of the tragedy said the accident resulted due to unhealthy competition between two separate committees of bus entrepreneurs. Aapart from Madhya Paschim Transport Entrepreneurs´ Committee, Kakrebihar Committee also operates its buses along the Karnali highway. Buses operated by separate committees always compete with each other to go faster to pick up more passengers on the road.
According to Bhesh Bahadur Saud, who lost his wife in the accident, their bus was competing with another bus (Ga. 1 Kha 4149) of Kakrebihar Committee even on Wednesday. "Both buses were overtaking each other along the narrow and bumpy road," said Saud. "Our bus had rammed into another bus just before the accident. A little later, our bus slipped off the road while overtaking that bus."
After the Karnali bus which connects Jumla with Surkhet was inaugurated, many accidents have taken place on this road, killing dozens of people.
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