KALIKOT: Seven people were injured, four of them critically, after a microbus traveling from Jumla to Surkhet veered off the Karnali Highway and fell into the Tila River on Friday morning.

The accident occurred near Chaukhola when the vehicle (Karnali Province 02-001 Kha 0976) plunged around 100 meters down from the road into the riverbed.

Locals and passengers from other vehicles helped rescue the injured and transport them to Manma District Hospital.

According to the hospital, four of the injured were in serious condition and referred to Surkhet for further treatment.

Health officials said the lack of helicopter support hindered timely evacuation.

Police confirmed that the injured included four people from Jumla, two from Kalikot, and one from Surkhet.