19 Killed, Including Briton, as Bus Plunges into River in Nepal

At least 19 people, including a British national, have died after a passenger bus veered off a mountain highway in Nepal and crashed into a river, authorities have confirmed.

The accident occurred around midnight on Monday when the bus, travelling from Pokhara to Kathmandu, lost control on the Prithvi Highway and plunged down a mountainside near Benighat in Dhading district. The vehicle eventually landed on the banks of the Trishuli River, about 50 miles from the capital.

Police said at least 25 passengers were injured in the crash, with rescue teams rushing to the scene shortly after the incident. So far, only nine of the victims have been formally identified, including a 24-year-old British citizen. Among the injured are a Chinese national and a 27-year-old woman from New Zealand.

Government official Mohan Prasad Neupane confirmed that emergency responders reached the area quickly, while police have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident.

Bus accidents are frequent in Nepal, largely due to poor road conditions, challenging mountainous terrain, and ageing vehicles. Much of the Himalayan region is linked by narrow, winding highways that are prone to deadly crashes. In July 2024, two buses carrying 65 passengers fell into the same river, killing many on board.

Authorities say rescue and recovery operations are ongoing as they continue efforts to identify victims and support survivors.