Feb 23, Kathmandu - On Sunday night, a bus with the license plate Ga 2 Kha 1421, travelling from Pokhara to Kathmandu, skidded off the road and fell into a ravine in Beni Ghat, Rorang Rural Municipality-5, Charaundi, Dhading. Among the passengers was Manandhar from Imadol, Lalitpur, who was trapped inside the wreckage.

According to Superintendent of Police Sumit Khadka of the District Police Office, Manandhar was rescued alive after being caught inside the twisted remains of the bus. The rescue team had to cut through the bus’s parts to free him, as the vehicle was severely mangled due to the fall.

"Many passengers were crying out for help, asking us to save them. We didn’t have immediate tools to lift or cut the bus," Khadka said. "We kept reassuring the passengers and, after bringing in a generator-powered cutting machine, we sliced through the bus's silencer and rear tire area to extract Mr. Manandhar."

He added that due to the challenging terrain and lack of proper rescue equipment, the operation was difficult but ultimately successful. Manandhar has been transferred to Kathmandu for further medical treatment and is reported to be in stable condition.

Meanwhile, the bus, operated by Machhapuchhre Tours and Travels, was involved in a fatal crash that resulted in 19 deaths. A total of 26 injured passengers are receiving treatment at various hospitals. The bodies of the deceased have been kept at Dhading Hospital and Gajuri Health Center for post-mortem examinations.