KATHMANDU, Feb 6: The Sudurpaschim Provincial Government has decided to provide financial relief of Rs 100,000 each to the families of those who died in a vehicle accident in Baitadi.
Thirteen people were killed in a wedding party bus accident that occurred on Thursday evening.
A cabinet meeting held on Friday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah decided to provide relief to the families of the deceased and ensure free treatment for the injured at government hospitals.
Rs 100,000 to be given to the families of the deceased
At around 7:30 PM on Thursday, a bus bearing registration number Su.Pa.Pra. 02 001 Kha 1119, which was returning towards Bajhang after taking a bride from Bhauni of Puchhaudi Municipality-7 in Baitadi, met with an accident.
When the bus fell about 100 meters off the road, 13 people died on the spot and 35 others were injured.
Those who lost their lives in the accident include 42-year-old ward secretary Naresh Raj Joshi of Bitthadchir Rural Municipality-7, 24-year-old animal service technician Basanta Raj Joshi of Shailyashikhar Municipality-1 in Darchula, and 42-year-old teacher Bishnudatta Joshi of Mahadev Secondary School in Bajhang, among others.
Police on Friday morning arrested the bus driver, 42-year-old Birendra Budha of Bhimdatta Municipality-7, Haldhukhala in Kanchanpur, who had been absconding since the accident.
According to Police Inspector Baldev Badu, the condition of five of the injured is critical, and they have been referred to Dhangadhi.
Similarly, 25 injured are undergoing treatment at Dadeldhura Hospital, while four with minor injuries are being treated at a health post in Bajhang.