The driver of a Kathmandu-bound bus that plunged into the Trishuli river on Saturday has yet to come into contact, said police.

Driver Santosh Chaudhary is said to be absconding after the vehicle (Na 6 Kha 1467) fell off the road at around 5:30am on Saturday, killing at least 31 people. Police said a search for the man is going on.

Shrawan Thakur, a passenger who survived by swimming, said he saw the driver fleeing after the accident. “I was in the bus cabin since I could not find a seat. I fell into the river. When I came out of water, I saw him [the driver] running away,” said Thakur, adding that the driver sustained injuries in his head.

It is suspected that the fatal crash occurred due to speed. However, the actual cause remains unknown.

The government has formed a three-member committee led by Joint-secretary at the Home Ministry Man Bahadur BK to probe the accident.

Thirty-one people died as the crowded bus plunged into the river at Gajuri-5 on the Prithvi Highway. Two of the bodies pulled out of water remain unidentified. Some people are suspected to be missing.

Saptari is in deep mourning as 24 of the victims are from the district. Two more passengers from the district have been missing. Most of the victims are from Tilathi, close to the district headquarters Rajbiraj, and Bodebarsain.

Ramanath Jha of Tilathi lost his two sons, a daughter and a grandson. Another grandson of Jha is missing while two of his other relatives lost their lives.

All the 18 local units—municipalities and rural municipalities—remained shut on Sunday to mourn the deaths.

A Nepali Congress leader who was nominated a candidate for the upcoming elections also died in the accident. NC Mahasamiti member Raj Kapur Yadav of Golbazaar was killed in thecrash.