Baitadi bus tragedy: 13 killed, including four brothers and four father-son pairs

Dhangadhi: Four brothers and four father-son pairs have been confirmed dead in a bus accident that occurred at around 7:30 pm on Thursday at Badugaun, Purchaudi Municipality Ward No. 7, Baitadi.

Among the 13 people killed in the incident, Narendraraj Joshi and Vishnudatta Joshi of Bitthadchir-7 Lagunasa are brothers. Narendraraj was the ward secretary of Bitthadchir-7, while Vishnudatta was an English teacher at Mahadev Secondary School. Basantaraj Joshi, who also died in the incident, was the nephew of Narendraraj and Vishnudatta.

Basantaraj Joshi was the eldest son of Narendraraj and Vishnudatta’s younger brother and was working as an agricultural technician in Shailyashikhar Municipality of Darchula.

Keshavraj Joshi, 40, and Ashokraj Joshi, 40, who lost their lives, were father and son. Ashokraj, the only son of Keshavraj, died on the spot. According to the groom’s brother Uttamraj Joshi, Kisan Dutta Joshi and Bisan Dutta Joshi, who were seriously injured in the incident, were also brothers. Both died while being taken to Dadeldhura.

Similarly, Mohandev Bhatta, 60, and Keshavraj Bhatta, 60, from Kedarsyun Rural Municipality, Bajhang, who died on the spot, were father and son and were the nephew and niece of Narendraraj and Vishnudatta.

Basantaraj Ratala of Jayaprithi Municipality-7, Bajhang, who also died in the incident, was the nephew of Basantaraj Joshi, while Deepakraj Joshi, 40, was a village relative. The bride’s 13-year-old brother Sushil Joshi also died in the accident. Pushpa Awasthi, 40, of Purchaudi-7, Baitadi, died on the spot.

All members of the groom’s family injured in the incident

The groom’s father, 60-year-old Shankar Dutta Joshi, sustained a head injury in the accident and is in moderate condition, said Baitadi Police Spokesperson Bhandev Badu. He has been referred to Dhangadhi from Dadeldhura for further treatment.

Seventeen-year-old Pushkarraj Joshi sustained injuries to the waist and leg, while the groom’s uncle Vijayraj Joshi suffered injuries to his right leg and head. Thirteen-year-old Premraj Joshi sustained injuries to his left eye, 17-year-old Chhateshwori Joshi sustained injuries to his chest and waist, and 13-year-old Prateek Joshi sustained injuries to his left leg.

Similarly, 37-year-old Sarita Joshi sustained injuries to her chest and both hands, 14-year-old Renuka Joshi sustained injuries to her left leg and nose, 16-year-old Pratibha Joshi sustained injuries to her waist and leg, Dinesh Joshi sustained injuries to his chest and waist, 11-year-old Amrit Joshi sustained injuries to his right leg, waist and chest, 8-year-old Pravesh Joshi sustained injuries to his left hand, and 55-year-old Gajendra Joshi sustained injuries to his chest and waist, according to Baitadi police. Among them, the critically injured have been referred to Dhangadhi, while others are receiving treatment at Dadeldhura Hospital.

Similarly, 50-year-old Namara Joshi, 19-year-old Hiteshwori Joshi, 13-year-old Bipin Joshi and 18-year-old Utsavraj Joshi, who were injured in the accident, are undergoing treatment at Deulekh Health Center.

According to police, Kalawati Awasthi of Purchaudi-7 sustained injuries to her head and both legs, while 18-year-old Kiran Awasthi sustained injuries to her left eye, forehead and legs.

In the incident, 40-year-old Hari Bohara of Bitthadchir-4 sustained injuries to his chest and waist, while 58-year-old Raghunath Awasthi sustained injuries to his right hand and waist. Kamal Prasad Joshi sustained injuries to his waist, Krishna Dutta Joshi of Kedarsyun-8 sustained injuries to his right shoulder and waist, and 46-year-old Padmaraj Joshi of Bitthadchir-9 sustained injuries to his left leg, according to police.

One of the groom’s uncles suffered a broken leg, while his elder father was also injured. It is understood that the deceased from Bitthadchir were relatives from the same village, while the rest were friends. Fourteen-year-old Sushil Joshi, who died in the accident, was the bride’s brother. According to Uttamraj Joshi, almost all relatives and friends of the bride’s family from Purchaudi-7 and Bitthadchir in Bajhang were among those who died.

Thirteen people had died at the time of writing when a bus carrying the bride met with an accident at the Badugaun turn in Purchaudi Municipality-7, Baitadi. The bus, returning to Sunkuda in Bajhang from Bhavane in Purchaudi Municipality-7, met with the accident at 7:30 pm on Thursday.

The bus carrying the bride, Sup Pra 02-001 Kha 1119 of Pawandoot Yatayat, fell about 150 meters off the road, informed Police Inspector Bhandev Badu, Information Officer at the District Police Office, Baitadi.

A total of 45 injured people, including 18 women and 27 men, were rescued from the accident. The injured were taken to Kotila Health Post for treatment, while those seriously injured were referred to Dadeldhura for further treatment.