KATHMANDU (TIP): At least 14 people were killed and seven others injured on Feb 6 when a passenger bus veered off a mountain highway and fell some 500 metres into a river.

The bus, carrying 21 people, was en route to Bhirahawa from Pokhara when it skidded off the Siddhartha Highway in Palpa district and fell into the Bhalukhola river at around 2am (local time). All the deceased are men and their identities are yet to be established, Palpa DSP Shiva Shrestha said.

“The bus might have lost control of the vehicle after the driver dozed off at the steering wheel leading to the accident,” he said. Shrestha said 12 people died on the spot and two others succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment. The bus driver and bus owner were also killed in the mishap. At least seven persons, including two women, were injured in the accident.

Of them, four are undergoing treatment at Mission Hospital, Bhusaldanda while others are being treated at Lumbini Teaching Hospital of the district, The Himalayan Times reported. Locals, police and army personnel are carrying out the rescue operation at the site of the accident.