Three passengers died by electrocution on the Rapti highway after their bus touched a live wire dangling from an electric pole.

The incident occurred along the Chor Khola section of the highway on Thursday after the bus made contact with a naked live wire that had been left unmanaged following a rainstorm on Wednesday evening, locals said.

Rolpa resident Kaluram Dangi and his son Topilal Dangi died on the spot while Mahendra Oli of Salyan died in the course of treatment in Tulsipur-based Rapti Provincial Hospital in Dang, said police.