Seven people died and 13 others were injured, some critically, when a Mahindra Bolero crashed at Raduneta in ward 3 of Palata Rural Municipality in Kalikot district on Sunday.

The vehicle heading to Thirpu from Ukhadi swerved off the road and plunged into the Kaprikhola at around 2:50 pm. Six people, including a child, died on the spot while one succumbed to injuries in Surkhet, said police.

According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Tek Bahadur Rawat, 13 injured were taken to Surkhet by a Nepal Army helicopter.

There were 20 people on board the vehicle when it lost control on a steep road and met with the accident.

Police identified the deceased as six-year-old Daman Rokaya of Palata-3, Padam Bam, 51, and Chhaya Shahi, 30, of Palata-5, Kushum Kala Shahi, 59, Ganesh Shahi, 60, and Bhagawati Rokaya, 25, of Palata-6. Similarly, driver Dhaniram Rawat of Salyan died in the course of treatment in the provincial hospital in Surkhet.

Police said the accident was caused by the five-seater Mahindra Bolero's carrying passengers beyond its capacity.

"The road is rough and steep where the accident happened. The Bolero has the permission to carry five people but it was carrying passengers thrice than its capacity," said Rawat.

The local people blamed the vehicle owner, police and also passengers for the fatal crash. "The vehicle owner wants to earn money at any cost. The vehicles in rural areas carry passengers beyond their capacity due to poor monitoring of the police. And the people also ride the vehicle which is already overcrowded," said Shankar Pyakural, a local of Palata.