The government has formed a five-member task force to investigate Monday’s bus accident in Dhading that claimed 19 lives.

In a press release issued on Monday, Ananda Kafle, spokesperson for the Ministry of Home Affairs, said a meeting held at the ministry decided to constitute the panel under the coordination of a joint secretary.

The task force has been mandated to carry out a detailed probe into the incident and submit a report.

The passenger bus, en route to Kathmandu from Pokhara, met with the accident at around 1:30 am on Monday along the Prithvi Highway at Bhaisigauda in Benighat Rorang Rural Municipality-5, Dhading. The vehicle reportedly veered off the road and plunged approximately 200 metres down to the banks of the Trishuli River.

Of the 44 passengers on board, 19 died and 25 sustained injuries.

Kafle said rescue and relief operations were carried out promptly in coordination with the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force Nepal and local residents.

The injured have been taken to various hospitals for treatment.