The Embassy of India, Kathmandu on Monday said it is working closely with concerned Nepali authorities to ensure the early repatriation of the mortal remains of Indian pilgrims who died in a tragic microbus accident in Gorkha District of Nepal.
According to local police, seven Indian pilgrims were killed and seven others injured when the microbus carrying them plunged into a gorge on Saturday while they were returning after offering prayers at the renowned Manakamana Temple.
In a social media post, the Indian Embassy expressed deep condolences over the loss of lives and said it is coordinating with Nepali authorities to facilitate the return of the victims to India. “The Embassy is also assisting the injured with their treatment and safe return to India,” it stated.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families, and we wish a speedy recovery to those who have been injured,” the embassy added.
The accident occurred in the Kantar area of Sahid Lakhan Rural Municipality when the microbus veered off the road and fell into a deep gorge. The vehicle was travelling towards the Anbukhaireni area in Tanahun District, located west of the Manakamana Temple.
The tragedy has once again highlighted concerns over road safety in Nepal. In a similar incident in August 2024, a bus carrying Indian pilgrims met with an accident near Anbukhaireni, killing at least 27 people.
Authorities say Nepal has witnessed a steady rise in road accidents in recent years, partly due to an increasing number of vehicles and challenging road conditions. Data from the Nepal Traffic Police shows that while 4,999 road accidents were recorded about a decade ago, the number rose to 7,669 in the fiscal year 2024–25, resulting in around 190 deaths.
A study conducted by the World Bank in Nepal also highlighted the growing economic and social impact of road crashes. The report noted that the economic cost of road traffic injuries has tripled since 2007 and now accounts for nearly 1.5 percent of the country’s gross national product.
The study further noted that road accidents disproportionately affect vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, who account for more than 70 percent of road fatality victims in the country.
