A tragic road accident in Nepal’s Baitadi district claimed 13 lives and left more than 30 people injured after a passenger bus plunged nearly 200 metres into a gorge near the Uttarakhand border.
The incident occurred on Thursday night at Badgau in Purchaudi‑7 area when the bus, carrying several passengers, lost control while climbing uphill. Rescue workers from the Armed Police Force reported that a pressure pipe burst likely caused the heavily loaded vehicle to veer off the road.
Local residents, Nepal Police, and the Armed Police Force immediately launched rescue operations. Eight passengers died on the spot, while five more succumbed to their injuries during treatment at Dadeldhura Hospital. A woman was among the victims, according to reports from the Kathmandu Post.
Medical teams admitted the injured to hospitals in Baitadi and Dadeldhura districts. Doctors are working continuously to stabilise patients, and officials are closely monitoring those in critical condition.
Authorities confirmed that 34 passengers sustained injuries, and the death toll may rise further as several victims remain in serious condition. Rescue operations continued through the night, with teams using all available resources to provide relief.
The accident has shocked the region, which shares its border with Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh. Officials emphasised the need for strict safety checks on passenger buses operating in hilly terrain to prevent such tragedies.
