Nepal bus plunge kills 8, injures 16 on B P Highway in Kavrepalanchok
Synopsis
A passenger bus plunged 300 metres off Nepal's B P Highway in Kavrepalanchok on Friday, killing eight and critically injuring five — the latest fatal crash on a highway system that recorded 7,669 accidents and 1,900 deaths in 2024–25 alone, with road injury costs now at 1.5% of Nepal's GNP.
Key Takeaways
Eight people were killed and 16 injured after a bus fell 300 metres off the B P Highway in Buchchakot, Kavrepalanchok on Friday afternoon .
Five of the injured are in critical condition at Dhulikhel Hospital .
The bus was travelling from Banepa to the Sungure area; the cause of the accident has not yet been determined.
Nepal recorded 7,669 road accidents and 1,900 deaths in fiscal year 2024–25 , up from 4,999 accidents a decade ago.
A World Bank study found road injury costs in Nepal have tripled since 2007 , now amounting to 1.5% of the country's GNP.
At least eight people were killed and 16 others injured after a passenger bus veered off the road and plunged into a gorge in the Buchchakot area of Kavrepalanchok district, central Nepal, on Friday afternoon. The accident occurred along the B P Highway in Namobuddha Municipality, according to a senior official of the District Administration Office.
What Happened
Gopal Kumar Adhikari, Chief District Officer of Kavrepalanchok, confirmed that the bus was travelling from Banepa in Kavrepalanchok toward the Sungure area when it lost control and plunged approximately 300 metres below the highway. All 16 injured passengers are receiving treatment at Dhulikhel Hospital in the same district, with five reported to be in critical condition.
'Of them, five are reported to be in critical condition,' Adhikari said. The cause of the accident has not been identified so far, he added.
Rescue Operations
Police personnel, working alongside local residents, carried out rescue operations at the site. The injured were transported to Dhulikhel Hospital following the retrieval effort. No further details on the identities of the victims have been released by authorities.
Nepal's Worsening Road Safety Record
The tragedy is part of a deeply troubling trend. Nepal has recorded a sharp rise in road accidents over the past decade, driven in part by a growing number of vehicles on its roads. A decade ago, the Nepal Traffic Police logged 4,999 road accidents annually. By fiscal year 2024–25, that figure had climbed to 7,669 accidents and 1,900 deaths, according to official data. Of the total, 278 were classified as serious.
The economic toll is equally severe. A World Bank study found that the cost of road traffic injuries in Nepal has tripled since 2007 and now equals 1.5 per cent of the country's gross national product. More than 70 per cent of all road fatalities involve vulnerable users — pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists — with the burden falling disproportionately on the poor.
Context and Concerns
Nepal's mountain highways, including the B P Highway connecting the Kathmandu Valley to the hilly districts of eastern Nepal, are notorious for sharp curves, narrow lanes, and limited safety barriers. Overloading and driver fatigue are frequently cited as contributing factors in such accidents, though investigators have not yet attributed a cause in this case. This is the latest in a series of fatal bus accidents on Nepali highways in recent months, raising fresh calls for stricter enforcement of road safety regulations.
Authorities are expected to release further findings as the investigation into the Buchchakot crash continues.
Point of View
Yet infrastructure investment and enforcement have not kept pace with vehicle growth. The B P Highway, a critical artery through difficult terrain, remains under-protected by safety barriers and oversight. The World Bank's finding that road injury costs now consume 1.5 per cent of GNP should have triggered structural reform years ago. Until Nepal moves beyond reactive rescue operations toward proactive road safety governance — speed enforcement, vehicle fitness checks, driver licensing rigour — the death toll will keep climbing.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the Nepal bus accident happen on 12 June 2025?
The accident occurred in the Buchchakot area of Kavrepalanchok district in central Nepal, along the B P Highway within Namobuddha Municipality. The bus fell approximately 300 metres below the highway into a gorge.
How many people died and were injured in the Kavrepalanchok bus crash?
At least eight people were killed and 16 others were injured. Five of the injured are reported to be in critical condition and are being treated at Dhulikhel Hospital in Kavrepalanchok district.
What was the cause of the Nepal bus accident?
The cause of the accident had not been identified as of the latest official statement. Chief District Officer Gopal Kumar Adhikari said investigations are ongoing.
How bad is Nepal's road accident problem?
Nepal recorded 7,669 road accidents and 1,900 deaths in fiscal year 2024–25, compared to 4,999 accidents a decade ago. A World Bank study found the economic cost of road injuries has tripled since 2007 and now equals 1.5 per cent of Nepal's GNP.
Who is most affected by road accidents in Nepal?
According to World Bank data, more than 70 per cent of all road fatalities in Nepal involve vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. The burden falls disproportionately on the poor.
