The death toll in the bus accident that occurred at Sidhuwa in Parewadin-5, Dhankuta, on Thursday has reached 15. Twenty-seven others were injured. Condition of some of the injured is said to be critical.

The ill-fated vehicle (Ba 2 Kha 7366) skidded off the road and fell some 100 metres, said police. The bus was en route from Basantapur in Terhathum district to Dharan.

Police said seven persons died on the spot and six others succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment at BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan.

Hariraj Khewa, Dhankuta chairman of the CPN (Maoist Centre), who served as a state minister for finance during the Baburam Bhattarai-led government, was among the dead. More than 40 people were on board the bus when the accident occurred, according to police.

Bhola Thapa, an injured receiving treatment at Dhankuta District Hospital, said bus driver Sonam Tamang had said brakes had failed. “He did try to control the vehicle, but in vain,” he added.