At least 32 people died when a passenger bus plunged some 300 metres from the road at Pinataplekhola in Chhayanath Rara Municipality-7 in Mugu district, on Tuesday. Thirteen others were injured, some critically. Police suspect the accident was caused by a brake failure.

According to the police, 24 people died on the spot while four of the injured died while being brought to Talcha Airport and four others died while undergoing treatment in Nepalgunj.

The vehicle was en route to Gamgadhi, the district headquarters of Mugu, from Nepalgunj in Banke. According to the Mugu District Police Office, there were 45 people on board when the crash occurred.

According to Chief District Officer Rom Bahadur Mahat, personnel from Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force and local residents reached the site and rescued the victims.

“The accident took place in difficult terrain, causing huge human casualties,” said Mahat. “Our preliminary investigation shows that the accident took place due to a brake failure. Detailed investigation is underway.”

Police said most of the victims were migrant workers and students studying in city areas returning home for Dashain.

“It is the biggest road accident to take place ever since Mugu was connected with the national road network some nine years ago. The road linking Mugu, a remote district in Karnali, is risky since the road is narrow and rough,” said Mahato.