A pall of gloom has descended in Saptari as the bodies of victims of Saturday’s bus accident in Dhading were brought to the district. Of the 31 passengers deceased in the accident, 24 were from the district. Two more people from the district are still missing. 

According to SP at Saptarai District Police, Mukesh Kumar Singh, 12 bodies have been brought to the district, while other bodies are being brought. People of Tilathi village broke down in tears when the bodies of four persons from a single family arrived in the village. A child from the same family has been missing. 

At least 31 people, including six of a family, were killed when a passenger bus swerved off the road and plunged into Trishuli River in Gajuri-5 along the Prithvi Highway on Saturday morning.

According to the police, the death toll could rise and the exact number of passengers on board the bus is yet to be ascertained.

The bus was travelling to Kathmandu from Saptari. Passengers who survived the ordeal said that the bus was overspeeding and the driver had consumed alcohol which was likely the cause of the crash.

Local levels, educational institutes closed

Government offices and public and private schools in Saptari district have been closed down on Sunday to mourn the accident in Dhading.