At least five people died when a passenger bus met with an accident near Arun Khola in Nawalparasi on the East-West Highway on Sunday.

According to police, the bus bound for Dharan from Bhairawaha lost control and overturned at 5 am today after the driver fell asleep. Sixteen passengers have been injured, two of them seriously, said police.

Police further said the bus was carrying passengers beyond its capacity. There were 52 passengers aboard the 40-seat capacity bus.

Road accidents are common in Nepal's highway and they are blamed for overcrowded vehicles, driver’s negligence, poorly maintained road, and lack of monitoring and old vehicles.