Six people have lost their lives and 23 have been missing after a Kathmandu-bound passenger bus plunged into Trishuli River in Benighat early Friday morning. Police officials say security personnel have rescued 16 passengers and retrieved the vehicle, which was carrying nearly four dozen people on board.

The bus was travelling from Malangwa, the headquarters of Sarlahi district.

Two of the deceased have been identified as Ajaya Das and Bijaya Kurmi. Three bodies were found on the accident site while two bodies were recovered from Jugedi in Chitwan. The identity of three deceased has not been established.

Dhading District Police Chief Raj Kumar Baidwar said officers were attempting to identify passengers in coordination with the District Administration Office in Sarlahi.

Laxman Jamarkattel, the bus driver who was among the rescued, was unconscious until this report was filed. Assistant driver Pramod Chaudhary and conductor Rishi Uprety have been brought to Kathmandu for treatment.

A disaster rescue team of the Armed Police Force has been searching for the missing passengers. The bus was pulled out of the river with the help of a crane.

The story has been updated.