At least 18 persons lost their lives in a bus accident at Bethanchowk Rural Municipality, Kavre district on Tuesday evening while returning from a bratabandha ceremony.

Kavre CDO Humkala Pandey informed that the ill-fated bus was on its way back to Banepa Municipality from Chyalti of Bethanchowk.

As per the preliminary investigation, the accident occurred at around 6 pm after the bus collided against a wall on the roadside due to over speed. Altogether 39 passengers were travelling on the bus.

13 people died at the incident site while five others died while undergoing treatment at various hospitals. Meanwhile, 21 others, who were injured in the accident, and in serious condition, are receiving treatment at different hospitals.

The accident in Kavre took place a day after 12 people lost their lives in a jeep accident that occurred at Chhedagad Municipality of Jajarkot District on Monday afternoon.