Arghakhanchi Bus Accident Update: Death toll climbs to 19

The number of people killed in road mishap at Narpani of Sandhikharka Municipality -6 of Arghakhanchi district Wednesday noon has reached 19 while the number of injured ones has stood at 18. Of them 17 people had died on the spot while 2 passed away while undergoing treatment at Primary Health Centre at Thada and Charaha Hospital in Butwal, according to the Chief District Officer of Arghakhanchi, Bijayaraj Poudel.

The incident took place when a passenger bus (Lu 2 Kha 2148) heading towards Butwal from Sandhikharka fell some 300 metres off the road near Narpani Bazaar. Among the injured ones, seven were receiving treatment in Bhairahawa while rest nine were undergoing treatment in Butwal.

2 injured passengers have already returned home. Those killed in the accident are 56-year-old Shiva Lal Bhattarai, 22-year Maya Puri, a six months old child whose name is not known, 54-year-old Balram Bhattarai and 8-year-old Monika Khadka of Dihidanda, Sandhikharka-7.

Similarly, 27-year-old Sita Basnet of Chapargaun, Kapilbastu, 27-year-old Shailesh Thapa of Thulodewa , Bhumikastahan municipality-9, Arghakhanchi died in course of treatment at the health centre at Thada. Chhabilal Gaire of Sandhikharka municipality-10, bus driver Om Bahadur Thapa, alias Basanta, 36; and 38-year-old Santa Bahadur Basnet, the owner of the ill-fated bus died while under treatment at the Chauraha Hospital.

Raj Kumar Mahat, an Armed Police Force (APF) person of Dhurkot riral municipality-2, Gilmi also died in the accident. The identities of eight more victims is not yet ascertained. The dead nodies have been kept at the District Hospital Sandhikharka, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Prakash Bista, said.