Indian Embassy Facilitates Repatriation After Road Accident Kills Seven Pilgrims In Nepal
Indian Embassy assisting repatriation of seven pilgrims killed and seven injured in Nepal road accident.
The Indian Embassy in Nepal is working closely with local authorities to facilitate the repatriation of the mortal remains of Indian pilgrims who were killed in a road accident in western Gorkha district on Saturday. Seven pilgrims died when their microbus plunged into a gorge while returning from prayers at the Manakamana Temple, authorities confirmed.
Seven other pilgrims sustained injuries in the accident and are receiving medical attention. The Embassy stated that it is assisting the injured with treatment and ensuring their safe return to India. In a social media post, the Embassy expressed its condolences to the families of the deceased and conveyed prayers for a speedy recovery for the injured.
The microbus went off the road in the Kantar area of Sahid Lakhan Rural Municipality while en route to Anbukhaireni in Tanahun District, just west of the Manakamana Temple. The incident echoes a previous tragedy in August 2024, when a bus carrying Indian pilgrims crashed in the same region, killing at least 27 people.
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Road safety in Nepal has emerged as a growing concern in recent years. According to the Nepal Traffic Police, reported road accidents increased from 4,999 a decade ago to 7,669 in fiscal year 2024–25, resulting in 190 deaths. Of these, 278 accidents were classified as serious, highlighting the risks faced by travelers across the country.
The economic impact of road crashes is also significant. A World Bank study found that the cost of traffic injuries in Nepal has tripled since 2007, now representing 1.5 per cent of the country’s gross national product. Vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, account for over 70 per cent of all fatalities, underscoring the disproportionate burden on poorer communities.
The Indian Embassy continues to coordinate with Nepali officials to ensure prompt and dignified repatriation of the deceased pilgrims, while urging travelers to exercise caution on Nepal’s increasingly busy and hazardous roads.
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