KATHMANDU, Jan 5: A tragic sumo vehicle accident on the Bhimfedi–Kulekhani–Kathmandu road in Bhimphedi Rural Municipality–6, Jurikhet, Makwanpur, has claimed six lives and left three seriously injured.
According to the District Police Office (DPO), Makwanpur, the accident occurred around 5:20 PM on Sunday, when a sumo vehicle (Na 1 Ja 1778) traveling from Kathmandu to Hetauda fell about 100 meters into a gorge. A 10-member police team, led by Inspector Santakumar Shrestha and including traffic personnel, immediately reached the site.
Sisneri sumo accident: Identities of those injured revealed
All nine passengers aboard the vehicle were rescued and sent to Hetauda Hospital. Police reported that seven were critically injured and two were moderately injured. Among the critically injured, driver Ganesh Thapa and 12-year-old Abhyash Lamsal were referred to Bharatpur Medical College, Chitwan for further treatment.
Tragically, six people died during treatment at Hetauda Hospital. The deceased include Rajneesh Kumar (42) from Patna, Bihar, India; Sabita Lamsal (40) from Kamaldanda, Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City-4; Nikhil Agrawal (29) from Kantirajpath, Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City-2; Arvind Kumar (around 50) from Begusarai, Bihar, India; and two unidentified men, approximately 35 and 40 years old.
Teams from the DPO Makwanpur and the District Administration Office also reached the site. Police said further investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident.