KATHMANDU: Six people were killed and six others injured in a road accident at Kattike Danda, on the border of wards 2 and 3 of Kummayak Rural Municipality in Panchthar district.

The accident occurred on Saturday morning when a pickup van (registration number Me 1 Ja 3055), traveling from Taplejung to Itahari along the Tamor Corridor, went out of control and plunged nearly 500 meters down the hillside.

Among the twelve passengers, six lost their lives on the spot.

Six others sustained serious injuries.

Five of the injured were taken to BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan, while one was admitted to the District Hospital in Panchthar.

The identities of the deceased and injured are yet to be confirmed.

Authorities said rescue and treatment efforts are ongoing.