UDAYAPUR, Aug 4: A microbus returning from a pilgrimage to the renowned tri-religious site Halesi in Khotang met with an accident on Monday morning, resulting in one death and injuries to 14 others.
According to the Khotang District Police Office, the microbus (Province 2-01-001 J 0053) was en route to Siraha of Madhesh Province when it veered off the road and plunged about 200 meters down the slope near Daunthekhola of Kaduwabesi along the Jayaramghat–Halesi section of the Mid-Hill Highway at around 9:00 AM.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Prateek Bishta confirmed the accident, stating that the identities of the deceased and injured are yet to be determined. Among the 16 passengers onboard, one has died, two suffered minor injuries, and the rest were seriously injured.
Initiative underway to list Halesi as World Heritage Site
The injured passengers were rescued by a joint team from Jayaramghat Police Post, Halesi Area Police Office and the District Police Office. The severely injured were transported by ambulance from Tuwa Chhung Municipality to Kathmandu’s National Trauma Center for intensive care, while others were treated at the local Janasewa Polyclinic in Ghurmi. Their conditions are reported to be improving, according to DSP Bishta.
The crash occurred near the border of Udayapur, Okhaldhunga, and Khotang districts, prompting emergency response teams from all three regions to assist in rescue and treatment efforts.
Eyewitnesses reported that the microbus is still at the crash site. Although the terrain is hilly, the presence of dense shrubs and foliage likely prevented higher casualties. Locals believe the damage could have been far worse without such natural barriers.
According to Kamal Giri, spokesperson of Halesi Tuwa Chhung Municipality, the pilgrims had come from Siraha to attend the Bolbam pilgrimage that begins from the first Monday of the Nepali month of Shrawan. While their exact addresses are yet to be confirmed, it is suspected that the passengers were from Siraha, Sarlahi and possibly included Indian nationals.
Currently, Halesi is hosting the Bolbam Mela, drawing pilgrims from across Nepal as well as from India, Bhutan and Sikkim. Known as a confluence of Hindu, Buddhist, and Kirati faiths, Halesi has seen a rise in visitors over the past decade due to improved access via the Pushpalal Mid-Hill Highway, which connects Jayaramghat to Diktel, Bhojpur, Terhathum, Ilam, and Panchthar.
