KATHMANDU – A tragic accident struck a wedding procession in Nepal’s Baitadi district on Thursday evening, claiming the lives of at least eight people when their bus plunged off the road. The incident unfolded around 8 PM in Purchaudi Municipality, turning a joyous baraat into a scene of devastation.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Deepak Kumar Rai confirmed the details, noting that the bus carrying wedding guests met with disaster on a treacherous stretch. Approximately 45 others sustained injuries, with 16 receiving immediate care at local health centers and the rest transferred to advanced facilities for critical treatment.
Miraculously, the bride and groom escaped unharmed, as they traveled in a separate vehicle ahead of the convoy. Authorities are still investigating the exact cause, with preliminary reports pointing to possible speeding or road conditions.
District Magistrate Krishna Thapa revealed that around 60 passengers were aboard the overloaded bus at the time. Rescue operations swung into action swiftly, involving Nepal Army personnel, police forces, armed units, and local volunteers who braved the night to aid the victims.
This heartbreaking event underscores Nepal’s escalating road safety crisis. Traffic police data shows a sharp rise in accidents: from 4,999 incidents a decade ago to 7,669 in the 2024-25 fiscal year alone, resulting in 190 fatalities, including 278 severe crashes.
The economic toll is staggering. A World Bank study highlights that road accident losses in Nepal have tripled since 2007, now equating to 1.5% of the Gross National Product. Vulnerable groups bear the brunt – over 70% of victims are pedestrians, cyclists, or motorbike riders – pushing families into poverty through lost income and medical bills.
As Nepal’s roads expand and vehicle numbers surge, urgent reforms in infrastructure, enforcement, and driver training are imperative to prevent such needless tragedies. The nation mourns the loss of eight lives, a stark reminder of the human cost behind the statistics.