A passenger bus crash in central Nepal has killed seven Indian pilgrims and injured nine others, according to police, after the vehicle slipped off a mountain road and rolled down the slopes. Police said the crash happened Saturday night, when the bus was returning after the pilgrims visited the revered Manakamana Temple, a popular Hindu shrine where devotees believe a goddess will grant their wishes if they visit.
Police said the bus was traveling downhill when it slipped off a curve and rolled down the mountainside before landing in a ravine. The accident occurred on a route leading from the highway to the temple near Shahid Lakhan village, about 120 kilometers (75 miles) west of Kathmandu.
Investigators said police and villagers who reached the wreckage helped pull injured passengers from the crash site. They also transported the injured in ambulances to local hospitals for medical treatment, police said.
Police said all seven of the people who died were Indian pilgrims, while seven other Indian pilgrims on board were injured and taken to nearby hospitals. Police also said the remaining two injured people were the Nepali bus driver and his assistant.
Authorities said autopsies will be performed on the bodies of those who died before they are released to family members. Police did not provide additional details on what caused the bus to slip off the road.
Bus accidents are common in Nepal, with crashes often blamed on poorly maintained roads and vehicles. Much of the country is mountainous and connected only by narrow roads, which can make travel difficult, especially on routes that pass close to ravines and steep slopes.