Six people died and three were injured when a Tata Sumo van crashed at Jurikhet in Bhimphedi Rural Municipality-6 of Makawanpur district on Sunday.

According to the District Police Office in Makawanpur, the van was travelling from Kathmandu towards Hetauda along the Bhimphedi-Kulekhani-Kathmandu road section. The vehicle veered off the road and fell around 100 metres from the road. Four people died at the scene, while two others succumbed to their injuries during treatment, said police.

Surendra Thike, a local resident, said that the vehicle had nine passengers, of whom six lost their lives. The bodies have been brought to Hetauda. The identities of the dead and injured have not yet been confirmed.

The injured are receiving treatment at Hetauda Hospital.

Police from the Area Police Office in Bhimphedi carried out the rescue operation. The van remains at the crash site. Police said the location, about three kilometres north-east of the area police office, has seen three other light-vehicle crashes in the past.

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash, said police.