Deadly Bus Plunge in Dang District
In a devastating incident, a passenger bus traveling from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu careened off the Rapti bridge in Bhalubang Bazaar, Dang district, claiming twelve lives and leaving 24 others injured. The accident occurred at around 10:30 pm on Friday night.
Victims Identified
The victims, including a prominent leftist intellectual, Tara Kanta Pandey, and three Indian nationals, have been identified. Preliminary investigations attribute the crash to speeding, raising questions about the effectiveness of the nearby traffic police post.
Survivor’s Tale
A survivor, Mohammad Jabed Ali Darji, shared his harrowing experience, narrowly escaping death. His dream of flying to Qatar for a job now hangs in the balance due to injuries sustained in the accident.
Tragedy Strikes in Kathmandu
In another tragic incident, five lives were lost near Setopahara along the Thankot-Chitlang road section in Chandragiri Municipality-4. The accident involved a car skidding off the road and falling 600 meters, claiming four lives on the spot, with a child succumbing to injuries later.
Weekend Getaway Turns Fatal
The victims, identified as Omkar Tiwari, Kalpana Tiwari, Dr. Mahesh Kumar Gautam, and his children, were possibly en route to Chitlang for a weekend getaway, according to police suspicions.
Miraculous Escape
Srishti Tiwari Gautam, Mahesh’s wife, miraculously survived the crash by jumping off the vehicle, shedding light on the severity of the accident.
Baglung Crash Claims Lives
In Baglung, a road accident claimed two lives and left nine others injured as a jeep overturned in Pyangkhola of Dhorpatan Municipality. Preliminary investigations point to brake failure as a contributing factor.
Locals on Tour
All occupants of the vehicle, locals from Chandragiri Municipality of Kathmandu, were on a tour to Dhorpatan in Baglung. The injured have been evacuated to medical facilities for treatment.
Root Causes and Expert Opinions
Experts weigh in on the recurring fatal road accidents, citing poor road infrastructure, vehicle condition, and reckless driving as major factors. Transport and traffic engineer Ashish Gajurel emphasizes the need for safety barriers and calls for the establishment of a dedicated road safety council to address the pressing issue.
