Nepal bus crash kills at least 33

Army and police rescuers were combing the slopes near Bitradeurali village in Kavre, 50 miles east of the capital.

At least 33 people have died and 28 others were injured when an overcrowded bus veered off a mountain road in Nepal.

Mr Bal Krishna Panthi, chief district officer of Kavrepalanchowk, said a helicopter and ambulances were dispatched to the accident scene. As nearly all of them had died in the spot, it is feared that the death toll would increase as about two dozen passengers are said to be in very critical condition.

All 24 bodies were recovered, the victims are yet to be identified, the Himalayan Times reported.

The bus, which was carrying local passengers to the capital, veered off Arniko highway and rolled about 500 feet.

Parts of the bus, bodies and luggage were scattered on the forested slopes below the highway.

Nepal has many mountainous areas and most roads are narrow.

Gautam said about 85 passengers were riding inside the bus and on its roof.

“A military helicopter plucked the injured to hospitals in Kathmandu”, Home Ministry official Chiranjivi Nepal told Reuters. “We can come to a final conclusion only after the investigation is over”.