Nepal Road Accident: Death Toll in Tanahun Bus Plunge Rises to 41

Kathmandu: The death toll from the bus carrying Indian passengers that plunged into the Marsyangdi River in Nepal's Tanahun district has risen to 41, as per reports.

Maharashtra Minister Girish Mahajan confirmed the casualties during a press conference in Mumbai on Saturday.

The bus was en route to Kathmandu from Pokhara.

At the press conference, Mahajan said that the Maharashtra government is maintaining ongoing communication with both the Nepal administration and the Nepal Embassy in Delhi to coordinate relief efforts.

"41 people have lost their lives in Nepal after falling into the river. We’ve been in touch with the Embassy in Delhi, and the Nepal Army has transported 12 individuals to the hospital," Minister Mahajan stated.

He also added further that the exact number of casualties is still being determined and mentioned that most of the passengers were from Jalgaon district in Maharashtra.

"We don't have the exact figure. There are 16-18 more but there can be casualties among them. We are continuously in touch with the district administration and the military and I have also interacted with Dy CM. The rescue efforts are still underway," he added.

PM Modi Expresses Grief

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed grief at the loss of lives, all of them Indian pilgrims, in a road accident in Nepal.

Modi said on X, "Saddened by the loss of lives due to a road mishap in Tanahun district, Nepal. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover at the earliest. The Indian Embassy is providing all possible assistance to those affected." 

“The bus bearing number plate up ft 7623 plunged into the river and is lying on the bank of the river,” DSP Deepkumar Raya from the district police office of Tanahun has confirmed.

A team of 45 Armed Police Force personnel led by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Madhav Paudel from the Armed Police Force Nepal Disaster Management Training School has already reached the accident site and is carrying out the rescue operation.