Kathmandu:
At least 37 people were killed and 43 others injured in two separate bus accidents in Nepal today.
The first incident took place when a bus with 85 passengers, heading for Kattike Deurali from Kathmandu, skidded off the road and plunged 500 metres down the road at Birta Deurali-7 in Kavre after the driver lost control of it.
According to the District Police Office Kavre, 33 people were killed in the accident. As many as 43 others have been injured in the incident, police said. A Nepal Army helicopter airlifted 15 injured passengers to Kathmandu for treatment, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
An eyewitness said that many passengers have been squeezed by the bus wreckage. Prime Minister Prachanda directed concerned stakeholders including the government bodies to intensify rescue mission.
In the second accident, a passenger bus met with an accident at Siddheshwor, killing four people on the spot. The bus was heading for Bajhang district from Dhangadi.
Nepal has many mountainous areas and most roads are narrow. Most accidents in Nepal are blamed on poorly maintained vehicles and road conditions. Buses are crowded and people also travel on the roofs of buses.
