Authorities were yet to confirm the cause of the crash, but the police said excessive speed on the narrow road could be one of the reasons | Image for representation | Photo; Credit: Thinkstock;

Kathmandu: At least 20 people died when a truck carrying mourners returning from a funeral ritual plunged around 400 metres (1,300 feet) onto a river bank in central Nepal, police said Saturday. Fourteen others were injured as the vehicle veered off an unpaved narrow road in a hilly area around 70 kilometres (45 miles) north of the capital Kathmandu on Friday.

Police retrieved 18 bodies at the site. One person died while being taken to hospital and another during treatment, police official Bhimlal Bhattarai said. "Bodies were found scattered on the river bank and slope and we are still searching the incident site because the total number of people on board is still not known," said Bhattarai.

Authorities were yet to confirm the cause of the crash, but the police said excessive speed on the narrow road could be one of the reasons. Deadly crashes are relatively common in the impoverished Himalayan nation because of poor roads, badly maintained vehicles and reckless driving.</s>Kathmandu: In a tragic incident at least 20 people killed when a truck carrying mourners returning from a funeral ritual plunged into a river bed in central Nepal, police said.

The vehicle fell from 400 metre, police said on Saturday.

Reports said 14 others were injured as the vehicle veered off an unpaved narrow road in a hilly area around 70 kilometres (45 miles) north of the capital Kathmandu.

Eighteen bodies were recovered from the site. One person died while being taken to hospital and another during treatment, police official Bhimlal Bhattarai said.

Reports said bodies were found scattered on the river bank. Search operation is going on. It was not known how persons were on board, said Bhattarai.

The reason behind the mishap is yet to be confirmed. But police said excessive speed on the narrow road could be one of the reasons.</s>[Nepal], Dec 14 (ANI): At least 18 people died while 16 others sustained injuries after a mini-truck plunged into a river from a height of approximately 400 metres in Central Nepal on Friday.

The mini truck, ferrying passengers from Shikharbesi to Ghyangfedi in Nuwakot District, met with an accident at Dupcheshwor Rural Municipality, leaving 18 dead. Fatalities are expected to rise.

"As of now we have got the report of 18 dead and 16 injured in the accident. The accident occurred at around 5 PM in the evening and we got the information about half an hour later. The death toll is expected to rise," Bhimlal Bhattarai, DSP at the District Police Office, Nuwakot, told ANI in a telephonic conversation.

The ill-fated mini-truck is said to have been carrying at least 40 people. All passengers were returning from a funeral. The exact reason for the accident is yet to be ascertained.</s>Police: Truck carrying Nepal villagers from funeral veers off mountain road, killing at least 16 and injuring others

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Police: Truck carrying Nepal villagers from funeral veers off mountain road, killing at least 16 and injuring others.</s>KATHMANDU, Nepal — A truck veered off a mountain road in Nepal on Friday, killing at least 16 people and injuring many others.

Villagers were returning from a funeral and travelling in an open truck when it went off the roadway, police said.

The truck rolled about 500 metres (1,640 feet) on the mountain slope near Dupcheswor village, which is about 120 kilometres (75 miles) northwest of the capital, Kathmandu.

Rescuers were working to help the injured and have recovered 16 bodies. The injured have been driven to hospitals for treatment.

Freezing temperatures, darkness and the remote location were making rescue work difficult.

Vehicle crashes are mostly blamed on poorly maintained vehicles and roads in the mountainous country of Nepal.</s>KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Police: Truck carrying Nepal villagers from funeral veers off mountain road, killing at least 16 and injuring others.</s>Truck veers off road in Nepal, killing at least 16 people

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Police say a truck veered off a mountain road in Nepal, killing at least 16 people and injuring many others.

Police say villagers were returning from a funeral Friday and traveling in an open truck when it went off the roadway.

Rescuers are working to help the injured and have recovered 16 bodies. The injured have been driven to hospitals for treatment.

Vehicle crashes are mostly blamed on poorly maintained vehicles and roads in the mountainous country of Nepal.</s>KATHMANDU, NEPAL—Police say a truck veered off a mountain road in Nepal, killing at least 16 people and injuring many others.

Police say villagers were returning from a funeral Friday and travelling in an open truck when it went off the roadway.</s>KATHMANDU, Nepal — Police: Truck carrying Nepal villagers from funeral veers off mountain road, killing at least 16 and injuring others.

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20 people died and 14 others are injured when a truck carrying mourners returning from a funeral ritual plunged around 400 metres (1,300 feet) onto a river bank in central Nepal.