Dashain road crashes claim 124 lives nationwide, six killed in Monday’s SUV accident in Gulmi

Six people have died and three others have been injured after a Scorpio SUV plunged about 250 metres down a slope in Daboukhani, Kaligandaki Rural Municipality-2, Gulmi, on Monday afternoon.

According to police, the SUV, registered as Ba 0220, was travelling from Chirkot in Syangja to Rakset in Gulmi when it veered off the Kaligandaki Corridor road at around 4 pm.

Five people died at the scene, while another died during treatment at Kaligandaki Community Hospital in Mirmi, Syangja.

The deceased have been identified as 67-year-old driver Dilipkumar Bagale of Waling Municipality-2, Shiva Parajuli of Waling-10, and Loknath Pandey, Sita Pandey and Kulananda Pandey of Sirkot, Kaligandaki Rural Municipality-1, Gulmi. Police said the identity of one person who died at the scene had yet to be confirmed.

Nita Bagale, who was injured in the crash, later succumbed to her injuries at the hospital.

Among the injured, Chhabilal Pandey was in critical condition, while other two sustained moderate injuries. They were receiving treatment at different hospitals.

In a separate incident, a jeep accident in Chamaita, Deumai Municipality-1, Ilam, on the same morning killed the driver on the spot, police said.

The Bolero jeep, bearing registration number Me 1 Ja 3040, was heading towards Chauribazar in Chamaita when it went out of control and crashed.

Police identified the deceased driver as Bipin Diyali.

Dashain road accidents claim 124 lives across Nepal
The fatal crash comes amid a worrying toll from road accidents during the Dashain festival period, when 124 people died and 2,988 others were injured in traffic accidents nationwide.

According to Nepal Police, 1,339 road accidents were recorded between October 11 (the day of Ghatasthapana) and October 25 (Kojagrat Purnima). The deceased included 83 men, 39 women, seven boys and five girls.

Of the injured, 437 sustained serious injuries, while 2,551 suffered minor injuries.

Koshi Province recorded the highest number of accidents, with 397 cases, while Madhesh Province reported the lowest, with 80. Kathmandu Valley recorded 171 accidents, followed by Karnali Province with 171, Lumbini Province with 161, Sudurpaschim Province with 150, Bagmati Province with 112 and Gandaki Province with 97.

Motorcycles were involved in the largest number of crashes, accounting for 1,552 vehicles. The accidents also involved 337 jeeps and cars, 207 tempos, 71 trucks and tankers, 64 microbuses, 54 buses, 38 tractors, 15 tipper trucks, 10 heavy construction vehicles and 133 other vehicles.

During the same festival period last year, police recorded 1,492 road accidents across the country.

More than 5,700 drivers penalised
Police said 5,703 drivers were penalised for violating traffic rules during the Dashain period.

Among them, 2,794 were caught driving under the influence of alcohol, while 1,882 were found carrying more passengers than permitted. Another 746 drivers were penalised for speeding.

Additional violations included breaches of vehicle inspection standards, carrying passengers on vehicle roofs, overcharging fares and driving under the influence of drugs.

Central Police Spokesperson Deputy Inspector General Abinarayan Kafle said authorities had introduced special measures to improve passenger safety and ease travel during the festive period, when demand for long-distance public transport increases.

Police intensify festive travel safety measures
As part of its Dashain security plan, Nepal Police established 408 passenger assistance desks nationwide and set up 108 help desks at international border points to provide travellers with information and assistance.

Police also conducted public awareness campaigns on traffic management and used various technologies to regulate vehicle movement and reduce accidents.

Authorities are continuing special road safety measures ahead of Tihar, Nepal Sambat and Chhath, with a focus on preventing accidents and ensuring safer travel during the upcoming festivals.

(with inputs from Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS))