In a tragic incident in central Nepal, seven Indian pilgrims lost their lives and several others were injured on Saturday evening, March 14, 2026, when their microbus plunged into a deep gorge in the Gorkha district.
The pilgrims were returning from a visit to the revered Manakamana Temple when the accident occurred.
Details of the Accident
- Location: The vehicle (registration Bagmati Province 006 Kha 8430) skidded off a steep, downhill stretch near Kantar in Ward No. 3 of Shahid Lakhan Rural Municipality.
- The Fall: The microbus reportedly plunged approximately 150 to 200 meters down a cliffside.
- Casualties: Authorities confirmed that five men and two women—all Indian nationals—died on the spot.
- Injuries: At least seven to eight others were rescued with injuries. While most are being treated at a hospital in Anbukhaireni, one critically injured passenger has been referred to Chitwan Medical College in Bharatpur for advanced care.
Rescue and Investigation
- Ongoing Efforts: Teams from the Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force (APF) were deployed immediately for search and rescue operations, which continued late into the night.
- Potential Causes: Initial reports from local officials suggest the electric vehicle (EV) may have suffered brake failure on the difficult, steep terrain. It was also noted that construction work on the road and rainy conditions likely contributed to the tragedy.
- Passenger Manifest: The microbus was carrying a total of 14 to 15 passengers, almost all of whom were Indian tourists.
Context: Rising Road Safety Concerns
This incident adds to a grim tally of road accidents in Nepal. Just two years ago, in August 2024, a similar tragedy in the Anbukhaireni area claimed the lives of 27 Indian pilgrims from Maharashtra.
- National Statistics: In the 2024–25 fiscal year, Nepal recorded over 7,600 road accidents, highlighting an urgent need for infrastructure and safety improvements on hilly routes.