Ten people were killed, and three others seriously injured when an electric passenger vehicle plunged off the road at Chisapani Gadhi in Bhimphedi Rural Municipality-6 of Makawanpur district on Thursday.

The dead include three women, two girls and five men. All ten died at the scene. Police said their identities have yet to be established, although most are believed to be from Sarlahi district.

The three injured passengers are receiving treatment at Hetauda Hospital.

The vehicle, bearing registration number Madhesh Province 03-001 Ja 0880, was travelling from Kathmandu to Hetauda when it veered off the road and plunged around 700 metres down a slope, according to police.

The vehicle had left Kathmandu on Thursday morning carrying passengers from Sarlahi.

A police team led by Superintendent of Police Shyam Khatri, district police office chief of Makawanpur, reached the scene and began rescue operations. The bodies are being transported to Hetauda.

The accident site is about eight kilometres north of the Area Police Office in Bhimphedi.