A car plunged into the Sahaja river along the Hulaki Highway at ward 5 of Aurahi Rural Municipality in Siraha late on Sunday night, leaving three people injured.

Police said the car was travelling from Rajbiraj to Janakpur when it fell into the river around midnight.

The injured include the driver, 22-year-old Abhishek Kumar Rai of ward 14 of Janakpurdham Metropolitan City in Dhanusha, and two passengers, 39-year-old Dipika Kumari Upadhyaya and 20-year-old Priti Pattel, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police Ramesh Bahadur Pal, spokesperson for the Siraha District Police Office.

They were first taken to the provincial hospital in Siraha and later referred to the provincial hospital in Janakpur for further treatment. The damaged car remains at the accident site.

Locals say accidents have become frequent at the spot as a bridge over the river has remained under construction for the past 10 years due to alleged negligence by the contractor and concerned authorities.

Following the accident, locals blocked the Hulaki Highway, staging a protest. Community leader Santosh Yadav said they are demanding action against those responsible, an assurance of immediate bridge construction and urgent measures to prevent further accidents.