MAHOTTARI: Two people were killed and 26 others injured in a passenger bus accident this morning at Khairmara, Bardibas-10, Mahottari.

Among the injured, 13 are women, and six are reported to be in critical condition. The injured have been admitted to Shubha Swastik Hospital in Bardibas.

According to hospital doctors, the condition of six patients is very serious. District Traffic Chief Laxmiraj Joshi said that 65-year-old pedestrian Chulhai Chaudhary of Khairmara died on the spot after being hit by the bus.

Similarly, 10-year-old Pramis Khadka of Ishwarpur-12, who was traveling in the bus, succumbed to head injuries during treatment at Shubha Swastik Hospital. Hospital chief Pradeep Karki confirmed that Khadka had sustained deep head injuries.

According to Joshi, the bus (Na 6 Kha 1464) heading towards Kathmandu from Khairmara lost control, broke the wall of Laxminarayan Secondary School, and crashed into a coconut tree, resulting in the accident.

The exact cause of the crash has not yet been confirmed. Eyewitnesses reported that the bus might have lost balance due to overspeeding.

Traffic police said that all bus staff fled the scene and a search operation is underway. Further details of the accident are still emerging.