The bus with dozens of people on board plummeted off the road before rolling down a mountain slope.

07:43, Mon, Feb 23, 2026 Updated: 09:24, Mon, Feb 23, 2026

Nepal bus crash

A packed bus plunged off a mountain highway in Nepal (Image: X)

A packed bus on its way to Nepal's capital plunged off a mountain highway early Monday, killing 19 people including a British national and leaving another 25 wounded. The bus, which was carrying 44 people, rolled down a mountain slope and landed on the banks of Trishuli river near Benighat, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) west of the capital, Kathmandu.

According to local police, nine of the deceased have been identified so far. Among those injured includes a Chinese national and a New Zealander, authorities have confirmed. Bishnu Prasad Bhattam a spokesperson for the force, said a large number of personnel from all security forces are continuing rescue efforts on the ground.

The cause of the accident hasn't been identified yet. Injured passengers are being taken to the nearby hospital as the rescuers continue to find the identities of the deceased. 

Mohan Prasad Neupane, information officer at the district administration office, said the rescue operation had been completed by dawn.

He said: "The injured are undergoing treatment."

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Bus accidents in Nepal are common, mostly due to poorly maintained roads and vehicles.

Much of the Himalayan country is covered by mountains and connected only by narrow roads.