DANG: The tragic bus accident at Bhalubang in the Rapti Rural Municipality, Dang, has now claimed the lives of 12 individuals.

The incident involved a bus (Bhe 1 Ja 3912) en route to Kathmandu from Nepalgunj, which plunged into the Rapti River last night, as reported by SP Ram Bahadur KC, Chief of the Dang Police Office.

As of now, eight of the deceased victims have been identified. They are Saurab Bista, 39, from Hetauda; Tarakant Pandey, 65, from Chandragiri Municipality, Kathmandu; Mune, 31, from Uttar Pradesh, India; Man Bahadur Rawat, 40, from Jumla; Ram Bahadur Harijan, 20, from Banke; Dipak Kami, 25, from Rukum; Devendra Raya, 67, from Bihar, India; and Kusum Basnet, 60, from Nepalgunj, Banke.

In addition to the fatalities, 22 others sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment.