14 including three foreigners killed in Nepal bus accident

At least 14 persons, including three foreigners, two of them Israeli women tourists, were killed and 50 others injured on Friday when an over-crowded bus they were travelling in fell into a gorge in central Nepal.

The accident occurred in Nuwakot district, 75 km North-West of Kathmandu, when the ill-fated passenger bus was heading towards Langtang area, a famous hiking destination from the capital, for participating in a Hindu festival, police said.

Three foreigners including two Israeli women were among the 14 dead. Other victims are being identified. Three Israeli tourists were also said to be among the 50 injured.

The bus fell about 100 metre off the narrow hilly road in Belkot area.

A helicopter was also mobilised to carry out rescue work as the spot lies in a gorge where rescue operations are difficult to carry out.

The injured passengers were flown to Kathmandu for medical treatment. The bus was stated to be carrying nearly 100 passengers, almost double of its capacity.

Poor maintenance of roads and vehicles besides reckless driving contribute to many accidents in the mountainous country.