Kathmandu, June 2 (IANS): At least 16 people were killed and 58 others injured Monday when a bus carrying Indian pilgrims swerved off the road and plunged into a river in Nepal, officials said.
The accident took place on the Madi river at Gothibang in Pyuthan district.
Chief District Officer Ram Bahadur Karumbang said most of the deceased were Indians, and were from the state of Uttar Pradesh.
Nine people died on the spot, two died on way to hospital and five succumbed to injuries at the Pyuthan district hospital, police said.
Nineteen injured were taken to the Bhairahawa Medical College Hospital, while the rest received treatment in Pyuthan.
The bus was on its way to Krishnanagar of Kapilvastu from Bhingri. Most of the passengers were pilgrims returning after praying at the Swargadwari temple.
"The driver was trying to dial a number on his mobile phone, when the vehicle skidded off the road," said Jamuna Pokharel, one of the injured.