A tragic bus accident in Nepal has claimed the life of a 23-year-old British man, identified as Dominic Stewart, among 19 others. The bus, carrying numerous passengers, veered off a mountain road near Benighat, west of Kathmandu, leaving 25 people injured. Stewart’s family described him as a compassionate individual who loved trekking and was set to celebrate his 24th birthday soon.
The bus, en route from Pokhara to Kathmandu, met with the accident on the Prithvi highway after midnight. The vehicle tumbled down a 200-meter slope and ended up near the Trishuli river. So far, only nine bodies have been recognized, while the injured, including a Chinese national and a New Zealand woman, are receiving medical care.
Rescue operations were promptly initiated, with responders extracting the injured from the wreckage for urgent treatment. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the tragic incident. This unfortunate event underscores the common occurrence of bus accidents in Nepal, often linked to substandard infrastructure and vehicles, as much of the country’s terrain consists of mountainous regions with narrow roadways.
In a grim reminder of past tragedies, two buses carrying a total of 65 passengers plunged into the same river back in 2024, resulting in significant casualties and missing individuals. Recently, the remains of one of the buses were located deep within the riverbed. The challenging topography and road conditions in Nepal continue to pose risks for travelers, emphasizing the need for enhanced safety measures in the region.
