36 killed in two bus accidents in Nepal

Kathmandu: At least 36 persons were killed on Monday and scores injured in Nepal in two bus accidents, said the Ministry of Home Affairs here.

At least 33 persons lost their lives and many others were injured when a passenger bus met with an accident at Birtadeurali in Kavre district of Nepal, said the ministry.

Twenty-eight injured passengers have been brought to Kathmandu for treatment.

The bus was heading from Kavre to Kathmandu when it plunged some 150 metres down the hilly road, said Superintendent of Police Rajeshnath Bastola of the Kavre district.

The security personnel were collecting the bodies that were scattered over the cliff and a helicopter was employed to airlift the injured to hospitals.

The other bus accident occurred in Bajang district in western Nepal. Three persons were killed and 19 others were injured. Some of the injured are said to be critical condition, said the police.

Nepal`s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal `Prachanda` expressed anguish over the accidents and instructed officials to do everything they can to help the injured receive treatment.