Eyewitnesses described the horror as the vehicle veered off a narrow road in Tanahun district’s Ambukhaireni area, before plummeting into a deep khud. Local authorities mobilized rescue operations, ferrying the injured to medical facilities amid challenging conditions.

In a heartfelt post on X, the embassy conveyed sympathies: ‘Our hearts go out to the families of the departed. We are in constant coordination with Nepalese officials to transport the mortal remains swiftly and ensure the wounded recover fully.’

This tragedy revives painful memories of the August 2024 bus mishap in the same vicinity, where 27 lives were lost. Nepal’s escalating road fatality rates paint a grim picture – from 4,999 accidents reported a decade back to 7,669 in the recent fiscal year, including 190 deaths.

Boosting tourism between India and Nepal hasn’t come without costs, as overcrowded buses navigate perilous routes. The embassy assures ongoing support to affected kin, while Nepalese police probe potential factors like driver fatigue and poor road maintenance. Safer journeys for pilgrims remain a pressing priority.