29 people killed in two separate bus accidents in Nepal

Nepalese army personnel assist a victim of a bus accident after being airlifted from Birtadeurali in Kavre to Kathmandu, Nepal, August 15, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

KATHMANDU - Nepal's Home Ministry said that as many as 29 people were killed and 72 people were injured in two separate bus accidents that took place in Kavrepalanchowk district in central Nepal and Baitadi district in far-western Nepal on Monday.

As many as 26 people were killed and 42 injured in the passenger bus accident in Kavrepalanchowk as the bus veered off the road and plunged down at Birta Deurali area of the district, the ministry said in a press statement.

The bus had moved from capital Kathmandu and met an accident at around 1:30 p.m. local time as the bus plunged 300 meters down the road out of control, according to the ministry.

In another accident that took place at Siddheshwor village of Baitadi, three people were killed while other 30 were injured.

Police were mobilized and Nepal Army sent its helicopter for the rescue of the injured passengers at Birta Deurali, according to the government's statement. Out of injured people, 28 were brought to Kathmandu in helicopters and taken to different hospitals. Another 15 injured were treated in local Dhulekhel hospital. Likewise, those injured in accident in Baitadi were also taken to sub-regional hospital in nearby Dadeldhura district.

The ministry said that such accidents have been taking place for carrying more passengers than their capacity. "The local administration and police have been given stringent order to control such practices," said the ministry.