Nepal mishap: 12 dead, 21 injured in truck collision

A crowded passenger van crashed into a parked truck on a highway in southern Nepal early on June 1, killing 12 people and injuring 21. Two of the injured were in critical condition while the rest were in stable condition, according to officials at Bheri Hospital.

On giving an account of the tragedy, Dr. Prakash Thapa, at Bheri Hospital said, "The van carrying passengers and on the way to Dang met with an accident just after midnight and the injured were brought in here for treatment. We were informed that the van was crowded with 33 people on board, including the driver. When they were brought to the hospital, we found out that 11 of them had already died in the accident. We treated all the injured but one of them succumbed to the injuries."

Local news reports said the van had been speeding on the highway that passes through jungle near Rapti Sonari village. The village is located about 400 kilometres (250 miles) southwest of the capital, Kathmandu. Police launched an investigation into the deadly collision.

Nepal's coronavirus lockdown in place since March requires vehicles to obtain a permit to operate on roads. It wasn't clear if the van had such a permit. Drivers have been known to use their vehicles at night to avoid getting stopped by the police. Highway crashes in Nepal are mostly blamed on poorly maintained roads and vehicles.

(Image credit: Representative Imgage)