At least 24 people were killed and 37 others injured when a passenger bus fell over a cliff at Bherimalika Municipality-4 along the Chhinchu-Jajarkot road section on Thursday. 

The vehicle (Na 3 Kha 2279) swerved off the road and plunged 200 metres into Pasagadh stream. The bus had left for Khara Bazaar from Khalanga, the district headquarters of Jajarkot, at around 4pm. The incident site is about 5 km from Khalanga. 

Security personnel reached the incident site and carried out a rescue operation with the help of local people. 

DSP Bhabesh Rimal said the security personnel retrieved 20 bodies from the site, while seven others died in course of treatment. The number of casualties may rise as 28 of the passengers sustained serious injuries, he warned. The injured are receiving treatment in Jajarkot District Hospital. 

While the cause of the accident is under investigation, high speed and carrying passengers beyond its capacity appear to be the main factor, DSP Rimal said.