Tragic Bus Crash Near Pokhara Leaves Five Students Dead

A tragic vehicle accident unfolded near Pokhara on Friday morning when a school bus descended off a road and crashed, resulting in five deaths. The bus, registered to Kalika English Boarding School, slipped on a wet surface in the Okhleko Bheer locality of Ward 28 at around 06:20.

Authorities reported that the bus was occupied by 17 schoolchildren, an extra passenger and the driver. While the precise reason for the slip is still being examined, police have ruled out mechanical failure pending further evidence.

Most of those on the bus were tenth‑standard pupils traveling to a tuition class. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges Nepal faces with road safety, as traffic collisions have risen sharply over the past decade.

Government data for FY 2024‑25 documents 7,669 road accidents, 1,900 of which were fatal, with 278 classified as severe. The World Bank notes that the financial burden of these accidents now represents roughly 1.5 % of Nepal’s GNP, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations.