Two people were killed and over 50 injured when a bus carrying picnickers plunged off the bridge over Dudhaura River at Pathlaya-Nijgad road stretch in Bara district on Sunday night.

The bus (Na 3 Kha 7668) was returning to Parwanipur of Sarlahi district from Sahid Smarak of Hetauda in Makwanpur district via the East-West Highway.

Rabin Bajyu, 15, and Sandesh Basnet, both residents of Parwanipur-1, died in the accident, said Birgunj-based Sub-regional Hospital, where the bodies were taken to establish their identities.

The injured passengers were rescued by Nepal Police personnel and sent for medical treatment.  The students of Parwanipur-based Dim Higher Secondary School had reserved the bus for picnic on the occasion of Gregorian New Year 2017. 

The injured ones have been receiving medical attention at Simara-based Tarai Hospital and Gandak Hospital in Birgunj.

The bus had fallen some 50 meters down into a heap of sand, SP Surendra Mainali said. Police have been investigating the incident.