Nepal: 12 Indian pilgrims killed as bus plunges into Jhyapre river

Kathmandu, Apr 22: Twelve Indian pilgrims were killed and more than 30 injured after a bus veered off the highway and rolled down 150 meters before plunging into a river in Nepal on Wednesday, police said.

"Five women and seven men who died in the accident were Indian nationals and most of them were from Gorakhpur," police officer Basu Kharel, who was involved in the rescue operation, told Xinhua.

The incident took place at 6.40 am, when the bus carrying dozens of Indian pilgrims skidded off the Prithvi Highway and plunged into Jhyapre River in Dhading district, some 50 km west of Kathmandu.

Kharel said different teams have been working for the rescue operation, which is still underway.

"We are trying to ascertain their names and addresses," another police official said.

According to police, all Indian nationals were returning home after paying homage at the Pashupatinath temple.

IANS