The passenger bus (Ba 2 Kha 7063), en route to Halesi of Khotang from Sindhuli, veered off the road and fell some 300 metres below.

The residents of Guthbazaar in Jhagajholi Ratamata-3, Sindhuli, reserved the bus for their pilgrimage to Haleshi Mahadev. Nine of the dead are from the same ward in the VDC.

Sabitri Maya Shrestha, 61, Suku Maya Shrestha, 60, and Purna Prasad Baidya, 51, died on the spot. Anuj Giri, 35, Maniram Giri, 35, Anisha Giri, 12, Purna Maya Shrestha, 30, and Pravin Rai, 21, of Bahunidanda-5, Khotang died on the way to hospital. Ramesh Giri breathed his last in Biratnagar and Sabitra Giri died during treatment in Kathmandu.

Driver Gunaram Dahal of Kavre also sustained serious injuries. Seriously injured were taken to Kathmandu and Biratnagar.

DSP Govinda Adhikari suspected a steering failure as the cause of the accident.  According to the villagers, 52 of the 60 passengers were from Guthbazaar alone.