Five Dead After School Bus Falls Off Road in Nepal’s Pokhara

October 9, 2026

Kathmandu: A tragic road accident occurred in the western Nepalese city of Pokhara on Friday morning. A school bus skidded off the road and fell, killing at least five people. A senior police officer confirmed the incident.

According to Nepalese officials, the bus belonging to Kalika English Boarding School fell off the road at around 6:20 a.m. near Okhaleko Bhir in Ward No. 28 of Pokhara Metropolitan Municipality in Kaski district.

Kaski District Police Office Chief and Superintendent of Police Naveen Karki told IANS that at least five people have been confirmed dead in the accident. He said the bus was carrying 17 students, another passenger, and the driver.

Students were on their way to tuition class

According to Kaski Chief District Officer Kumar Singh Gurung, the bus was carrying mostly 10th-grade students who were on their way to a tuition class.

Police said the cause of the accident was not immediately known. Further investigation is needed to determine the cause.

Road Accidents on the Rise in Nepal

Nepal has seen an increase in the number of road accidents over the past few years, along with a corresponding increase in the number of vehicles in the country.

According to official data, the Nepal Traffic Police recorded 4,999 road accidents a decade ago. In the fiscal year 2024-25, the country witnessed 7,669 road accidents, resulting in 1,900 deaths. Of these, 278 accidents were classified as serious.

Road accidents not only result in loss of life but also have a significant impact on the country’s economy.

Road Accidents Also Damage the Economy

According to a World Bank study in Nepal, the economic cost of road accidents and injuries tripled since 2007, reaching 1.5 percent of the country’s gross national product (GNP).

The World Bank also stated that road accidents have the greatest and most disproportionate impact on the poor. More than 70 percent of road accident deaths in Nepal occur among those most vulnerable to road accidents, including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.

Bill Introduced for Road Safety

In light of the increasing number of road accidents, the Nepal government has introduced a Road Safety Bill in the House of Representatives. Its objective is to establish better coordination between various government departments involved in road safety, prevent accidents, and reduce their number.

The bill focuses on strengthening road safety monitoring and evaluation, as well as reducing the human and economic losses caused by accidents.

It includes provisions for road safety, including the establishment of coordination committees at the provincial and local levels, safe road infrastructure, safe vehicles and transport services, speed limit regulation, and road user safety and awareness.

In addition, provisions related to post-accident rescue and medical assistance, insurance, and compensation are also part of the bill.