Nepal Bus Crash: 18 Dead, 28 Injured As Pokhara-Kathmandu Bus Plunges Into Trishuli River; Locals Join Rescue Efforts

At least 18 people were killed, and 28 were injured after a passenger bus travelling from Pokhara to Kathmandu plunged into the Trishuli River along the Prithvi Highway in the Dhading district early Monday morning. The accident occurred around 1:15 AM, approximately 90 km west of Kathmandu, according to Armed Police Force spokesperson Bishnu Prasad Bhatta.

Seventeen bodies have been recovered from the site, while 28 injured passengers have been admitted to nearby hospitals. Among the deceased is a male passenger from New Zealand, and the injured include a Japanese and a Dutch national.

ALSO READ: Indore’s Bhagirathpura, Epicentre Of Water Contamination, Reports Fresh Health Scare As Six Fall Ill From Contaminated Food

Resident Dhruba Tiwari said villagers joined security forces in search-and-rescue operations, helping teams reach the crash site. He described the scene as horrific, noting that the bus was broken into pieces, underscoring the severity of the accident.

"Locals also helped the security forces during the operation. I also helped them reach the site, and after reaching the spot, they started the search and rescue operation. The bus was broken into pieces," ANI quoted Dhruba Tiwari.

Nepal: Dhruba Tiwari, a local, says, "...locals also helped the security forces during the operation. I also helped them reach the site, and after reaching the spot, they started the search and rescue operation. The bus was broken into pieces..." https://t.co/qli0ImwkQt pic.twitter.com/RKnuVembmn

— ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2026

ALSO READ: 15 Dead After Military Helicopter Crashed In Peru

Authorities suspect overspeeding may have contributed to the crash, and rescue teams from the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police remain on site assisting survivors and investigating the cause.