CHITWAN, Nov 29:The death toll in the Trishuli river bus plunge occurred this morning has reached seven, police said.
Likewise, the number of the injured has reached 25. The bus was found submerging under water in the accident site itself.
Identities of the deceased are yet to be ascertained, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Shiba Sharma Acharya, reported from the accident site.
Trishuli bus plunge death toll climbs to 21 (with video)
Of the injured, two were sent to Kathmandu on a helicopter and seven in an ambulance. Remaining 16 have been brought to Bharatpur.
A bus (Lu 2 Kha 291) was heading towards Arghakhanchi from Kathmandu it collided with a truck (Na 6 Kha 4972) coming from the opposite direction before falling some 100 meters down the road into the river at Chumlingtar of Ichhakamana rural municipality-3, Chitwan, this morning. The accident occurred at around 9:15 am, DSP Acharya said.
The truck driver and helper have also sustained minor injuries in the accident. The ill-fated bus was spotted found around 25 meters down in the river and efforts are on to recover it. The bus left for Arghakhanchi from Kathmandu at 5:40 am.
A total of 34 people including driver and assistant were believed to be onboard the bus when the accident occurred and two might have gone missing in the river and search operation for them was underway.
The Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and Nepal Army are carrying out the rescue efforts in the accident site.
