NUWAKOT, Dec 15: The death toll in Friday’s mini-truck crash at Ghyangphedi in Nuwakot district has climbed to 20 as two more injured succumbed to their injuries, police said.

Deputy Superintendent of Police at Nuwakot District Police Office, Bhimlal Bhattarai, told Republica Online that one injured breathed his last on the way to the hospital and another victim died in hospital during the treatment.

Police have ascertained the identity of the ten deceased on Saturay morning.

At least 18 people were killed and 15 injured after the mini-truck skidded off the road and fell 300 meters at Dupcheshwar Rural Municipality-7 of Nuwakot district at about 5 pm on Friday. The cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained, according to police.

“Eight injured were rushed to Kathmandu for further treatment on Friday night,” he said. DSP Bhattarai informed that they have been carrying out rescue operation. The ill-fated Eicher mini-truck, which was en route to Ghyangphedi from Sisipu, was carrying people returning home after performing death rituals for kin. Police have yet to identify the license plate number of the vehicle.

Theba Tamang, who was in the ill-fated vehicle, informed police that about 40 people were in it when the accident took place. District Police Office (DPO) Nuwakot informed that search and rescue at the accident site is ongoing.

Acting DPO chief Deputy Superintendent of Police Bhimlal Bhattarai told Republica that they have not been able to estimate the exact number of people involved in the accident. The accident site is a three-hour bus ride from district headquarters Bidur.

Update: 

11:45 AM

Out of total 20, the identification of 10 deceased has been ascertained. The deceased have been identified as Kenam Tamang, 48, Aite Tamang, 35, Rivan Tamang, 25, Mangale Tamang, 23, Sengon Tamang, 55, Khamsung Tamang, 62, Tokle Tamang, 55 and Bidimaya Tamang 27. 

 
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