• 19 casualties reported in a bus accident in Nepal, including a British tourist.
• The bus fell 200 meters into the Trishuli River while en route from Pokhara to Kathmandu.
• Rescue efforts involved local authorities and were made difficult by the nighttime crash.

At least 19 people died in a bus crash in Nepal early Monday morning, including a 24-year-old British national. The bus, which was traveling from Pokhara to Kathmandu, slipped off the mountain road and plunged into the Trishuli River in the Dhading district. Police confirmed that 25 others sustained injuries in the incident, which occurred around midnight, according to Channel News Asia and BBC.

Authorities reported that a total of 44 passengers were onboard when the crash occurred. As per police, 17 bodies were found at the scene, while two more succumbed to their injuries later. Among the injured, there were also nationals from New Zealand and China, with one Chinese national still missing, said sources, including South China Morning Post and India Times.

Rescue operations were initiated promptly, although local officials noted that conditions were challenging due to the night-time timing of the accident. The Nepalese police have also indicated they are investigating the circumstances, particularly focusing on potential causes such as poor vehicle maintenance and reckless driving. Such accidents are alarmingly common in Nepal, given the mountainous terrain and roadway conditions, as confirmed by various reports including India Times and South China Morning Post.