Dhading Bus Tragedy: Home Minister Holds High-Level Meeting on Rescue, Investigation

A high-level meeting was held under the chairmanship of Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal regarding the tragic bus accident that occurred last night in Dhading.

The meeting, attended by Minister Aryal, Secretary Rajkumar Shrestha of the Ministry, Secretary Keshav Kumar Sharma of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, heads of security agencies, and officials of the National Transport Federation, expressed condolences for the lives lost in the accident and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured.

The meeting decided to prioritize and ensure effective treatment for the injured, form an accident investigation committee to determine the facts, submit a report promptly, and implement necessary measures immediately. It also resolved to strengthen regulation in the transport sector and hold regulatory bodies and bus operators accountable.

To reduce road accidents in the future, strict law enforcement will be applied, and bus operators and drivers will be held responsible. Home Minister Aryal emphasized giving priority to rescue and treatment, ensuring that such incidents do not recur, and urged strict implementation of existing road safety laws. He also instructed that those responsible for the accident be brought under legal action.

Highlighting the risk that large-scale road accidents could pose challenges to security during the election period, he urged all concerned authorities to remain vigilant and responsible.

The accident involved bus number Ga 2 Kha 1421, traveling from Pokhara to Kathmandu, which crashed around 1:30 a.m. in Bhainsegauda, Ward No. 5, Benighat-Rorang Rural Municipality, Dhading, near the Trishuli River. Seventeen people died at the scene, two died during treatment, and 25 injured are currently receiving care in various hospitals in Kathmandu.