An overloaded bus carrying 100 passengers including 35 Indian pilgrims plunged into Rapti river in Dang district in south-west Nepal on Monday, killing at least 20 people.
About 28 people were injured and 40 reported missing in the mishap which took place at at Lalmati village of the district this morning when the bus was heading from Krishna Nagar in Kapilvastu to Pyuthan district.
DSP Dhruba Mahara said 20 bodies had been recovered but the deceased were yet to be identified, the Himalayan Times reported.
The accident occurred after the bus skidded off the road and fell down the ridge into Rapti river. Reports said that 35 pilgrims were from India.
Of the injured admitted to Nepalgunj Hospital for treatment, eight persons were in critical condition, police said.
Meanwhile, army, police and local fishermen have been mobilised for rescue works.
The bus was lying beneath the water and rescuers were trying hard to find out if anybody was trapped inside the drowned vehicle.