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Deadly crash in Nepal claims 19 lives
A 24-year-old British man is among 19 people who died when a tourist bus veered off a mountain road and plunged 200 meters into the Trishuli River early Monday, Nepali police reported.
Crash details
The bus, carrying 44 passengers and the driver, was en route from Pokhara-a key tourist hub-to the capital, Kathmandu. It lost control in Dhading district, central Nepal, around dawn.
Seventeen victims died at the scene, while two others succumbed to injuries during treatment, according to police spokesman Abinarayan Kafle, as cited by BBC Nepali.
Victims and survivors
Nepalese authorities confirmed the identities of all 19 fatalities, including a 40-year-old Chinese woman and a 32-year-old Indian man. Among the injured-25 in total-are a Chinese national and a New Zealander, all now receiving care in Kathmandu hospitals. Children were also on board the bus.
The British victim was identified locally as Stewart Dominic Ethan, though the UK Foreign Office has not yet verified his name.
Response and investigation
Rescue teams, including police, army units, and divers, were dispatched to the crash site. Nepal's Home Ministry formed a five-member taskforce to determine the cause of the accident.
A UK Foreign Office spokesperson stated they are assisting the British victim's family and coordinating with local authorities.
Safety concerns on Nepal's roads
Road accidents are frequent in Nepal, often attributed to poor maintenance, narrow mountain routes, and challenging terrain. In 2024, a similar incident occurred when a bus traveling the same Pokhara-Kathmandu route fell into the Marsyangdi River, killing at least 14 people.
Tourism's role in Nepal
Nepal attracts international visitors, particularly mountaineers drawn to the Himalayas, including Mount Everest. The country's eight highest peaks generated $5.9 million (£4.4 million) in climbing fees in 2024, a vital revenue stream for the economy.
