At least 31 people have died and 13 others injured as a bus fell off the road in Doti early on Saturday morning.
Local police said that the incident took place at around 3 am along the Doti-Chhatiwan section of the Bhimdatta Highway. The bus (Na 4 Kha 3603) was heading for Dhangadhi from Jayagadhm, Achham.
Police said the identities of the dead are yet to be established. However, officials said 23 of the deceased are men, seven are women and one is a minor.
Rescuers from Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and Nepal army have reached the scene, said officials. The injured have been rushed to Padma Hospital Attariya, said Police Inspector Rabindra Prasad Bhatta.
Rescue efforts have been hampered by severe cold, said Bhatta adding that the death toll could rise further.
