17 Indian pilgrims die in Nepal bus accident
24 April 2015 5:26 AM IST
At least 17 Indian pilgrims including nine women were killed and 28 others injured on Wednesday when a bus carrying them from Gujarat plunged some 100 metres from a mountain highway in Nepal, officials said.
The ill-fated bus, with an Indian number plate, carrying around 45 pilgrims, veered off the Prithvi highway at Naubise village in Dhading district, some 75-km east of Kathmandu.
The pilgrims from Gujarat were returning to Gorakhpur in India after a pilgrimage to Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Superintendent of Police Bishworaj Pokharel said.
About 14 passengers died on the spot while three others succumbed to their injuries shortly after being taken to a nearby hospital. Nine women and eight men are among those killed.
The injured passengers were rushed to Kathmandu for medical treatment. The condition of four of them was said to be critical.
Twenty one people are still in the hospital undergoing treatment, according to Indian Embassy sources.
The embassy has deputed a team comprising Consular Wing officials to the accident site to better coordinate the rescue efforts, the embassy said in a statement.
Rescue efforts are going on at the accident site, which lies along the Tribhuvan Highway, with the help of security personnel and the local people, he said.
The death toll might rise as the bus was trapped in a gorge like site and some passenger might have been trapped under the bus, Pokharel said.
The famous 5th century Pashupatinath temple is dedicated to a manifestation of Shiva called Pashupati (Lord of Animals). It attracts thousands of pilgrims each year, mostly from India.
The number of Indian visitors coming to the temple has increased after Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered prayer here in November last year during his visit to the country.
Those killed in the bus accident were identified as Ganesh Shiva, Jasu Ben, Ganesh Shanker, Ishwor Shyamji, Kanchan Ben, Labu Ben, Dalpat Bhai, Sabita Ben, Devji Bhai, Gauri Ben, Dayaram, Ganga Ram, Lila Ben, Narsi Poppat, Alpesh Kodi Patel, Champa Ben and Jasu Ben. The condition of five of the injured passengers is said to be critical.
Two buses carrying Indian passengers were returning home when one of vehicles met with the accident. Those who were travelling in the second bus were safe, according to the Indian Embassy.
Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae visited the hospital in Kathmandu and met with the injured passengers this afternoon.
Narendra Modi condoles death of pilgrims
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday condoled the loss of lives of Indian pilgrims in a bus accident in Nepal. At least 17 Indian pilgrims including nine women were killed and 28 others injured on Wednesday when a bus carrying them from Gujarat plunged some 100 metres from a mountain highway. “Very saddening news from Nepal. My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives in the bus accident at Naubise,” he said about the accident that took about place 75 kms east of Kathmandu.
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