What was meant to be a joyful journey turned into a tragedy in eastern Nepal when a newly married couple’s trip ended in a fatal road accident. The Me 1 Ja 3055 jeep carrying them from Sanwa in ward 4 of Mikkwakhola Rural Municipality in Taplejung towards Dharan via Meringden plunged nearly 300 metres down the hillside in ward 3 of Kummyak Rural Municipality in Panchthar district on Saturday morning, killing six and injuring six others.

Among the dead were Binod Langwa of Santhakra in ward 2 of Meringden, Gita Hangam of ward 4 of Lingtep, Abhishek Limbu and Dhankumar Limbu of ward 5 of Thukima, Yuna Tamang of ward 5 of Meringden, and Manisha Karki, the young bride from Sanwa in ward 4 of Mikkwakhola.

Her husband, Sanjuhang Chongbang, miraculously survived but remains in hospital with multiple injuries. The two had married on September 23 following Mundhum traditions and were on their way to Manisha’s maternal home in Urlabari, Morang, for a second wedding ceremony planned for October 5. Invitations had already been printed, and families were preparing for celebration when news of the crash arrived instead.

Local police, the Armed Police Force, and the Nepali Army jointly rescued the injured, transporting them to BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Bhishan Babu Rai, informed that two of the victims—Mahesh Kedem Limbu, 22, the driver, and Bimal Limbu, 25, both from ward 5 of Meringden—remain in critical condition in the ICU with severe head injuries. Others, including Mahesh Guragain of ward 7 of Itahari Sub-metropolitan City and seven-year-old Anish Limbu of Kalikhola, are recovering.

Sanjuhang, 31, had recently returned home after spending five years working in South Korea. He had brought Manisha home just weeks earlier, and the young couple were looking forward to beginning their married life. But before they could reach her maternal home, their dreams were shattered on the winding mountain road.

Rescuers and relatives described heart-rending scenes at the crash site. “The bride’s jewellery was found scattered on the ground,” one rescuer said softly. “She never made it to her wedding celebration.”

Authorities believe the jeep may have lost control due to the slippery road following days of rain. Investigations are ongoing.