"Saddened": PM Modi expresses grief over loss of lives in Nepal road accident; assures Indian embassy's assistance

He extended condolences to the grieving families and wished for the swift recovery of the injured.

PM Modi also assured that the Indian Embassy is providing all possible assistance to those affected.

In a post PM Modi said, "Saddened by the loss of lives due to a road mishap in Tanahun district, Nepal. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover at the earliest. The Indian Embassy is providing all possible assistance to those affected."

https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1827021125844414940

The death toll has risen to 27 after a bus carrying dozens of Indian pilgrims drove off a key highway and crashed on Friday in Nepal. The Indian tourist bus had veered off the road into the Marsyangdi River in Ainapahara, Tanahun District.

As per the Chief District Officer of Tanahun, Janardan Gautam, the death toll now stands at 27 with the completion of the search operation.

"The death toll now stands at 27 with the conclusion of the search operation in the Marsyangdi River. A total of 43 passengers were on board the bus, 16 injured have been rescued and are now receiving treatment in various hospitals," Gautam confirmed to ANI over the phone.

The Indian number-plated tourist bus with the registration number UP 53 FT 7623 had veered off the road and fell into the river. Some of the injured have been airlifted to Kathmandu in a Nepal Army helicopter.

"Within a few hours of the incident, 14 people were confirmed dead. Later, due to complications, another 13 succumbed, taking the toll to 27. It is really unfortunate," Gautam said in the telephone conversation with ANI.

As per the official, the bodies of the deceased are now kept at Aabukhaireni Village Council, with the identification of bodies underway. The bus was en route to Kathmandu from Pokhara when it collided in an accident.

Authorities will now conduct the postmortem of the deceased and hand over the body to the next kin and family members. The postmortem will take place in Pokhara.

"The bodies will be sent to Pokhara for a post-mortem and then handed over to the family. As they were part of about 90 membered tourist group in visit to Nepal, the identification process of the body is also being undertaken," Gautam, the Chief District Officer confirmed ANI.

As per Gautam, the ill-fated bus is one amongst the three buses that was carrying about 90 tourists and moving together towards Kathmandu after spending 2 days in Pokhara. (ANI)