Kathmandu, February 6: A tragic Bus Accident occurred in the Baitadi district of Nepal on Thursday evening, claiming the lives of at least eight people. The bus was transporting a wedding party when it crashed around 8 PM in the Purchaudi municipality, as confirmed by DSP Deepak Kumar Rai.
Approximately 45 individuals sustained injuries in the incident, with 16 receiving treatment at local health centers, while others were transferred to hospitals with better facilities. Fortunately, the bride and groom were unharmed as they were traveling in a separate vehicle.
The exact cause of the accident remains unknown, according to police reports. District Administrator Krishna Thapa stated that around 60 people were on board the bus at the time of the crash. Rescue operations were launched with the assistance of the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and local residents.
In recent years, Nepal has witnessed a rise in road accidents, attributed to an increasing number of vehicles and improved road connectivity. According to the traffic police office, there were 4,999 recorded road accidents in Nepal a decade ago. In the fiscal year 2024-25, the country experienced 7,669 road accidents, resulting in 190 fatalities, including 278 serious incidents.
The impact of road accidents extends beyond human loss, significantly affecting the economy as well. A World Bank study indicates that the economic losses from road accidents in Nepal have tripled since 2007, equating to 1.5 percent of the Gross National Product.
Road accidents disproportionately affect the poor, with over 70 percent of those killed on the roads being pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, according to the World Bank. The loss of income and medical expenses from such accidents can plunge families into deep poverty.