Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has expressed his condolences following a tragic bus accident in Nepal that claimed the lives of 14 Indian passengers. The accident occurred on Friday when a bus with a Uttar Pradesh license plate plunged into a river in Nepal’s Tanahun district.
In a statement on social media platform X, Fadnavis said, “A very unfortunate incident has occurred where some devotees from Maharashtra have died in an accident where a bus fell into a valley in Nepal. I offer heartfelt tributes to the deceased and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
Fadnavis provided details on the state’s response to the tragedy, stating, “According to initial information, these devotees are from Jalgaon district. The state government has immediately contacted the Nepal Embassy, and the Collector of Jalgaon is coordinating with the Collector of Maharajganj in Uttar Pradesh, which is on the Nepal border. A district and Deputy Superintendent of Police are accompanying them to the border. Our officials are working to provide immediate medical assistance to the injured. We are also coordinating with the Uttar Pradesh government to bring the deceased back to Maharashtra. The Maharashtra Disaster Management Unit, including Ministers Girish Mahajan and Anil Patil, are actively involved in the response.”
The accident involved a bus traveling from Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, which plunged into a river while en route to Kathmandu. The bus, operated by Kesharbani Travels and bearing the license plate UP 53 FT 7623, had originated from Gorakhpur and was carrying 40 passengers. Fourteen bodies have been recovered from the accident site, according to Kumar Neupane, spokesperson for Nepal’s Armed Police Force.
Arjun Khanal, owner of the hotel where the Indian tourists had stayed, informed ANI that the group was from various locations in India, including Mumbai, Pune, and Panvel. They had been on a six-day visit to Nepal, having previously stayed in Pokhara and Lumbini before heading to Kathmandu’s Gaushala.
Nepalese authorities are conducting search and rescue operations at the site. Uttar Pradesh Transport Minister Daya Shankar Singh has directed officials to extend all possible assistance to the victims. The Uttar Pradesh Relief Commissioner has also initiated efforts to determine if any passengers from Uttar Pradesh were on the bus and is coordinating the response with the Additional District Magistrate of Maharajganj and the Sub-Divisional Magistrate being sent to Nepal.
