Patna: As families prepare to celebrate Chhath Puja, two tragic road accidents in Bihar and neighbouring Nepal have claimed at least 13 lives, leaving several others injured. In the first incident, three members of the same family, including an eight-year-old child, died after their Scorpio collided with a truck in Bihar’s Aurangabad district. In another accident in Nepal, 10 passengers were killed when a minibus travelling from Kathmandu to Sarlahi plunged into a deep gorge.
Both accidents involved passengers travelling ahead of the Chhath festival, turning the festive period into a time of mourning for several families.
Three of a Family Killed in Scorpio-Truck Collision in Aurangabad
A major road accident occurred near Ratnua petrol pump under the Nagar police station area of Aurangabad district early Thursday morning, November 12.
A Scorpio carrying passengers collided with a truck with such force that the vehicle was severely damaged. Three occupants, including an eight-year-old boy, died in the accident, while others sustained serious injuries.
The deceased have been identified as 48-year-old Rajkumar Chauhan, his eight-year-old son Ritesh Kumar and his father-in-law Bhagwan Das. All three belonged to Salempur village under Pakribarawan police station in Nawada district.
The injured include Nitish Chauhan, son of Bhagwan Das, his sister and Rajkumar Chauhan’s wife, Kiran Kumari. They were initially taken to Sadar Hospital in Aurangabad for treatment.
Considering their serious condition, doctors referred them to Magadh Medical College and Hospital in Gaya for advanced treatment.
Following the accident, police reached the spot, took custody of the bodies and initiated further investigation.
10 Killed as Minibus Carrying Chhath Passengers Falls into Gorge in Nepal
In another tragic incident, 10 passengers died after a minibus plunged into a nearly 500-metre-deep gorge near Bhimphedi in Nepal’s Makwanpur district.
According to initial reports, the microbus was travelling from Kathmandu to Sarlahi when the driver lost control near Bhimphedi, causing the vehicle to fall into the gorge.
The passengers were reportedly returning to their hometowns to celebrate Chhath Puja with their families.
Ten people died at the accident site, while around five others sustained injuries. The injured were taken to a hospital in Hetauda for treatment.
Nepal Police reached the accident site and launched rescue operations. The identities of the deceased had not been established at the time of the initial reports.
Chhath Preparations Overshadowed by Road Accident Tragedies
The two accidents have cast a shadow over Chhath celebrations, with families losing their loved ones while travelling ahead of the festival.
While three members of a family died in the Aurangabad collision, the Nepal accident claimed 10 lives among passengers travelling home for Chhath Puja. Rescue and investigation operations were underway in both incidents.
