KATHMANDU: The toll of the tragic bus accident in Sukute of Sindhupalchowk district has reached 17.

15 were confirmed dead on the spot of the accident site whereas an additional two died while undergoing treatment.

7 of those who have died have been identified. The ones whose identifications have been revealed are 24-year old Ranjita KC, 27-year-old Chameli Shrestha, her 6-year-old daughter Shahirami Shrestha, an infant 3-month-old Sisan Tamang, and 50-year-old Raktakumari Rawat from Dolakha.

Two receiving treatment at Dhulikhel Hospital and Shree Memorial Hospital who passed away are Tej Kumari Basnet and Sunila Tamang.

The bus that was headed towards Kathmandu from Sailung village in Dolakha district fell into the Sunkoshi River. The ill-fated bus numbered BA 2 KHA 7245 fell in the afternoon.

In the accident, 49 people have been wounded. They are being treated at the Dhulikhel Hospital. Two of the injured have been taken to the Shree Memorial Hospital.

Following the accident rescue efforts were carried out immediately by the Nepal Police, Nepal Armed Force and the Nepal Army. The bus that was submerged was pulled up with the help of a crane. The distance between the road and the river where the bus had fallen was 35 meters.

Initial investigations point toward the negligence of the driver. Due to high speed in sharp turns and a narrow road, the driver was unable to control the bus which plunged into the river.  This has been verified by the initial investigation by the district traffic police office of Sindhupalchowk district.

SUKUTE, Nov 3: The identity of 14 of the 17 people who were killed in the bus accident that took place at Sukute along the Araniko highway in Sindhupalchowk district has been revealed.

The accident occurred when a passenger bus (Ba 2 Kha 7245) en route to Kathmandu from Mude Deurali of Dolakha fell 35 meters down into the Sunkoshi river at around 1:15 pm today afternoon. The bus was reportedly carrying more than 40 passengers.

According to District Police Office, Sindhupalchowk, the deceased have been identified as Chet Kumari Basnet, 52, Sailung-6, Dolakha, Salina Tamang, 6, three months old Roshan Tamang, Chameli Shrestha,27 and Nirmala Khadka, 32, of Sailung-3, Ratna Kumari Rawat, 45, Kiran Rawat, 29, Kabita Rawat, 20, Nikhil Khadka, 14, of Sailung-5, and Dil Lama, 14, of Sailung-4.

Likewise, Sajina Tamang, 5, of Kavre Roshi-4, Urmaya Tamang,70, of Dolakha, Ranjita KC, 24, of Bhimeswar Municipality-9, Maya Shrestha, 6, of Tripura Sundari-4, Sindhupalchowk also lost their lives in the accident, according to DSP Madhav Prasad Kafley.

Among the deceased, the identity of three children is yet to be known.

According to Chief District Officer of Sindhupalchowk Goma Devi Chemjong, 15 had died on the spot while two died while undergoing treatment at the hospital.

About twenty injured have been undergoing treatment in Sindhu Sadabar Hospital, Dhulikhel Hospital and Scheer Memorial Hospital, Banepa.

Many passengers are suspected to have been swept away by the river.

A team of Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and locals are carrying out rescue works.

SUKUTE, Nov 3: The death toll from the bus accident in Sukute of Sindhupalchowk district has climbed to 13, according to the police.

The accident occurred today afternoon when a passenger bus Ba 2 Kha 7245 en route to Kathmandu from Magedeurali of Dolakha district veered off the road into the Sunkoshi river.

The bus carrying more than 40 passengers when the accident occurred.

Some of the bodies were swept away by the river, according to locals who were in the accident to help in the rescue efforts.

A team of Nepal Police and Armed Police Force are also undertaking rescue efforts, said DSP Madhav Kafle.

The critically injured have been brought to Kathmandu for further treatment while other injured are receiving treatment at the Sadabahar Hospital and Dhulikhel Hospital.

According to Kafle, more casualties are feared since the accident is of big magnitude.

Further details are awaited.