In a tragic incident, a bus carrying Indian pilgrims plunged into the Marsyangdi River in Nepal's Tanahun district on August 24, 2024, resulting in the death of 27 Indian citizens and injuries to 16 others. The victims were en route from Pokhara to Kathmandu, a popular route for religious pilgrimages, when the bus veered off the road and fell approximately 650 feet into the river.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep sorrow over the incident and announced financial assistance for the victims' families. The government will provide ₹2 lakh to the families of each deceased individual and ₹50,000 to those injured in the accident. The compensation aims to offer some relief to the grieving families as they cope with this unexpected tragedy.
In addition to the compensation, the Indian government has been actively involved in providing assistance to the victims' families. The Indian Air Force facilitated the repatriation of the deceased to India, with a military transport aircraft carrying 25 of the victims' bodies to Maharashtra.
The incident has drawn significant attention to the safety concerns on mountainous roads in Nepal, where such accidents, though rare, have devastating consequences. PM Modi's quick response underscores the government's commitment to supporting Indian citizens abroad in times of crisis.
The Indian Embassy in Nepal is also providing all possible support to the survivors and coordinating with local authorities to ensure that the injured receive necessary medical care.