Tragic Bus Accident in Nepal Claims Lives of 27 Maharashtra Pilgrims

A tragic accident occurred in Nepal's Chitawan district on Friday, claiming the lives of at least 27 pilgrims from Maharashtra's Jalgaon district. The tourist bus they were travelling in veered off the highway and plunged into the Marsyangdi river. The victims hailed from Varangaon, Daryapur, Talvel, and Bhusaval in Jalgaon district, which is 470 km from Mumbai.

The incident took place in the Anbookhaireni area when the bus, carrying 43 passengers including the driver and two helpers, was en route to Kathmandu from Pokhara. Sixteen people died instantly, while 11 others succumbed to their injuries during treatment. "Sixteen people who sustained injuries have been airlifted to Kathmandu and admitted at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital," said Deputy Spokesperson of Armed Police Force APF Shailendra Thapa.

Indian Air Force to Transport Bodies

An Indian Air Force plane will transport the bodies to Nashik on Saturday, according to a state government release. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde spoke with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who assured all possible assistance. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his condolences on X (formerly Twitter).

The group of pilgrims had arrived in Nepal from Maharashtra two days prior for a 10-day tour. They were part of a larger group of 104 Indian pilgrims travelling in three buses. State Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Anil Patil stated that the Maharashtra government was coordinating with Uttar Pradesh's relief commissioner and the Indian embassy in Kathmandu.

Victims Identified

The Maharashtra government identified 16 deceased individuals from Jalgaon: Ramjeet alias Munna, Sarla Rane (42), Bharti Jawade (62), Tulshiram Tawade (62), Sarla Tawade (62), Sandeep Sarode (45), Pallavi Sarode (43), Anup Sarode (22), Ganesh Bharambe (40), Nilima Dhande (57), Pankaj Bhangade (45), Pari Bharambe (8 years), Anita Patil, Vijaya Jhawade (50), Rohini Jhawade (51) and Prakash Kodi.

Senior NCP SP leader and former Maharashtra minister Eknath Khadse mentioned that this group had visited Ayodhya four days ago. Khadse, who is from Jalgaon district, visited the families of the victims and survivors after learning about the tragedy. Union Minister Raksha Khadse, his daughter-in-law, will travel to Kathmandu to oversee the return of the victims and survivors after receiving permission from the PMO.

This tragic incident has left a deep impact on the families and communities involved. The coordinated efforts by various government bodies aim to provide support and ensure the safe return of survivors and deceased individuals to their hometowns.