DHADING: The bus accident in Dhading this morning has claimed the lives of seven individuals, as the death toll continues to rise.

The ill-fated bus with registration number Lu 2 Ka 2121, en route from Kapilvastu to Kathmandu, met with an accident at Gajuri Rural Municipality-5 Ghatbensi in Dhading at approximately 4:00 this morning.

According to local authorities, one woman and five men have lost their lives in the accident.

Police Superintendent Gautam KC of the District Police Office Dhading stated that the bus plunged into the Trishuli river, approximately 100 meters below the Prithviraj Highway.

36 injured passengers were rescued and promptly transported to nearby hospitals for medical attention.

Given the severity of injuries, authorities fear that the death toll may rise, prompting an ongoing search operation at the accident site.

Police are investigating the possibility that additional passengers may be missing.

A collaborative effort involving Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, Nepali Army, and local residents is underway to rescue and assist those affected.

The police have detained the bus driver, 38-year-old Hariram Harijan from Rupandehi.

Harijan said to the police that there were 49 passengers on the bus at the time of the accident.