At least 10 people were killed and five others injured after an electric passenger microbus plunged off a steep slope in Nepal's Makawanpur district on Thursday morning, November 12.
The accident took place at Chisapani Gadhi in Bhimphedi Rural Municipality-6, Bagmati Province, when the vehicle veered off the road and fell approximately 700 metres down a hillside, according to local police reports.
The electric microbus, bearing registration number Madhesh Province 03-001 Ja 0880, was travelling from Kathmandu towards Hetauda. It was carrying passengers from Sarlahi district who were returning home to celebrate the Chhath festival.
According to The Kathmandu Post, the deceased comprise five men, three women and two girls. All 10 victims died at the scene. The identities of eight victims are still being established in the latest report.
The driver, Ravi Shankar Kumar Mandal, and one passenger, Subek Yadav, have been identified.
Five injured passengers were rescued and taken to Hetauda Hospital for treatment. A three-year-old boy was also found alive and rescued from a hillside above the crash site.
Police and rescue personnel from multiple security agencies reached the accident site and launched rescue operations. The steep and remote terrain made the operation challenging.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident. Further details are awaited.
(inputs from news agencies)