Nepal Bus Tragedy: 10 Feared Dead After Vehicle Skids into Tamakoshi River
A tragic road accident has cast a deep shadow of grief over the Ramechhap district of Nepal. On the morning of February 10, 2026, at least 10 people lost their lives when a passenger bus lost control and plunged into the Tamakoshi River. The bus was traveling from Gokulganga Rural Municipality toward the district headquarters, Manthali. While navigating a narrow bend on the winding mountain road, the driver lost control, causing the vehicle to skid off the road and tumble several hundred feet down the hillside into the fast-flowing river. According to eyewitnesses, after rolling down the steep embankment, the bus became partially submerged in the deep waters. Immediately after news of the accident broke, local residents rushed to initiate rescue efforts, followed by the Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force (APF), who arrived at the scene to lead the formal operation.
During the rescue operation, at least 10 bodies were recovered, and more than 15 passengers were rescued with injuries and sent to various health centers in nearby Manthali. Several critically injured individuals were airlifted to Kathmandu for advanced medical treatment. The rescue mission proved extremely challenging due to the geographical terrain and the river’s strong current. Rescuers used ropes and local boats to search inside the mangled wreckage of the bus for missing passengers. This tragic incident has once again raised serious questions regarding the safety of travel in the mountainous regions of Nepal.
Initial investigations suggest that the poor condition of the road and the absence of safety barriers or crash guards at the bend were major factors in the accident. However, many passengers alleged that the bus was overcrowded beyond its capacity, and mechanical failure—specifically brake failure—cannot be ruled out. The combination of aging vehicles and a lack of proper maintenance on Nepal’s mountain roads claims many lives every year. The local administration has temporarily suspended traffic on that route to continue the search operation. The banks of the Tamakoshi River are now heavy with the cries of the families of the missing. The Government of Nepal has expressed deep condolences over the incident and promised an investigation into the safety standards of transport companies. The Ramechhap district, nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, now waits in mourning for its lost citizens.
