RUKUM WEST: A fatal jeep accident in Rukum West has taken two lives and left many injured on Monday.

The deceased have been identified as 45-year-old Mast Bahadur Oli from Chaurjahari-13 and seven-year-old Pratik Budha from Sanibheri-2.

The accident occurred when a Lu 1 Ja 2297 jeep, carrying 23 passengers, veered off course during its journey from Khola village in Chaurjahari municipality-10 to the district headquarters in Musikot.

While the young boy was being rushed to Surkhet for urgent medical care via ambulance, he tragically passed away at Neta in Salyan district. Simultaneously, Oli succumbed to his injuries at Chaurjahari Hospital.

The severity of the accident resulted in 23 individuals sustaining injuries.

According to DSP Namraj Bhattarai from the District Police Office, Rukum West, five of the injured are in critical condition.