Bus crash in Nepal injures 25 Indian tourists headed to Pokhara—brake failure suspected

At least 25 Indian tourists sustained injuries in a serious bus accident in Nepal‘s Dang district on Friday while they were travelling to Pokhara. The incident occurred in the Chisapani area of Gadhwa Rural Municipality and has raised fresh concerns about transport safety in the Himalayan country’s hilly terrain. Preliminary investigations point to possible brake failure as the cause of the crash, local authorities confirmed.

The ill-fated bus, which bore an Indian registration plate, was reportedly travelling from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, to Pokhara—a popular tourist destination in Nepal. As the vehicle approached a curve near Gadhwa, it is said to have lost control and collided with a roadside wall. The impact left passengers with varying degrees of injuries, and immediate response teams rushed to evacuate the injured.

Where were the injured Indian tourists taken for treatment?

Following the crash, Nepalese police and emergency services arrived on the scene to assist victims. Nineteen of the injured passengers were stabilised and then transferred across the border to a community health centre in Tulsipur, situated in Uttar Pradesh. The remaining six were treated at a hospital in Nepal, with three individuals reported to be in critical condition, according to Gadhwa police.

Circle Officer Brijnandan Rai confirmed that while many of the tourists suffered minor injuries and were discharged after receiving first aid, the critically injured were still under intensive medical supervision. He also stated that the authorities are in touch with the victims’ families, and coordinated efforts are underway between Indian and Nepalese agencies to ensure continued medical support.

Who were the passengers on the bus?

The passengers, all Indian nationals, were primarily from districts in Uttar Pradesh, including Lucknow, Barabanki, Hardoi, and Sitapur. The group was reportedly on a leisure trip to Pokhara, which is a frequently visited destination known for its lakeside scenery and adventure sports. Most of the injured are believed to be middle-aged or senior citizens, though no fatalities have been reported as of yet.

The bus driver, whose identity has not yet been disclosed, has been detained by local authorities in Nepal for questioning. Officials are probing whether mechanical negligence, human error, or poor road conditions contributed to the crash. Nepalese police have not ruled out additional violations and said that a full technical inspection of the vehicle will be conducted.

Why does this accident raise broader safety concerns?

The crash has once again highlighted the recurring issue of road safety on cross-border transport routes between India and Nepal. The narrow and often poorly maintained roads in parts of Nepal’s hilly districts pose significant risks for heavy passenger vehicles, especially during peak tourist seasons. While tourism remains a crucial economic driver for Nepal, safety measures for overland routes continue to lag behind international standards.

Experts have noted that many buses operating in these regions are either inadequately serviced or operated by drivers unfamiliar with the mountainous terrain. Brake failure, a commonly cited cause in previous accidents across Nepal, points to systemic maintenance lapses and the need for stricter regulation and periodic inspections of commercial transport vehicles.

Moreover, border transit buses frequently carry passengers beyond their recommended limits, leading to increased strain on both the driver and the vehicle’s braking systems. With growing tourist traffic, particularly during festive or school holiday seasons, transport authorities are under increasing pressure to improve monitoring mechanisms across state and international borders.

How are Indian and Nepalese authorities responding?

Authorities from both countries are collaborating to ensure the wellbeing of the affected passengers. The Indian Embassy in Nepal has been informed and is reportedly working with local hospitals and Nepalese police to provide consular support. Efforts are also underway to arrange transport for the victims once they are deemed fit to return to India.

Medical teams at the Tulsipur community health centre have ramped up resources to accommodate the sudden influx of patients, while Nepalese hospitals remain on alert for any worsening of conditions among those still under observation. As the official investigation continues, both governments are expected to assess whether additional safety protocols or bilateral transport guidelines should be introduced to avoid repeat incidents.

This is not the first time such an incident has taken place along this route. Previous reports have documented similar accidents involving Indian pilgrims and tourists travelling to religious or scenic destinations across Nepal. In the wake of the current crash, road safety advocates are urging both Indian and Nepalese transport ministries to coordinate a more robust safety framework for cross-border tourist travel, including mandatory fitness checks for vehicles and refresher training for drivers.

What’s the outlook for victims and investigation?

As of Saturday evening, no casualties had been reported, and many of the injured passengers were recovering well. However, for the three critically injured individuals still under treatment in Nepal, medical teams remain cautious. Officials from the Gadhwa police unit have confirmed that a detailed report will be made public once the mechanical analysis of the bus is complete.

Meanwhile, insurance protocols for cross-border travel are also under review, as families of the injured have expressed concerns over compensation and emergency assistance. In the absence of unified cross-national insurance frameworks, many such incidents result in prolonged bureaucratic delays.

For now, families in Uttar Pradesh wait anxiously for the safe return of their loved ones, and the incident serves as a somber reminder of the risks involved in unregulated, long-distance overland travel between India and Nepal.