Two children were killed and at least 20 others were injured when a minibus travelling from Butwal to Purkotdaha in Gulmi crashed in Arghakhanchi early Monday morning.

The accident occurred around 2am at Argha Tari in ward 9 of Sandhikharka Municipality on the Saljhandi–Sandhikharka–Dhorpatan road.

The minibus was reportedly carrying 26 passengers, exceeding its 16-seat capacity.

Police said the vehicle fell about 20 metres down a slope after its brakes failed on a steep uphill turn. Four passengers are in critical condition, while 16 others sustained minor injuries. All the injured are being treated at Arghakhanchi Hospital in Sandhikharka.

The deceased have been identified as 10-year-old Aruna Thapa of ward 6 in Madane Rural Municipality and 13-year-old Narayan Paudel from ward 7.

According to police, many of the passengers were travelling to Purkotdaha for Dashain celebrations. Police Inspector Jhalak Prasad Sharma, information officer at the District Police Office, Arghakhanchi, said the cause of the crash is believed to be a combination of brake failure and overcrowding.