Six people were killed and three others injured on Monday when a Scorpio SUV plunged about 250 metres down a cliff in Daboukhani, Kaligandaki Rural Municipality 2, Gulmi district, Nepal.
At around 4pm, the vehicle was travelling from Syangja to Rakse in Gulmi when it left the road along the Kaligandaki Corridor.
Five people died at the scene. The sixth passenger, Nita Bagale, later died while receiving treatment at Kaligandaki Community Hospital in Mirmi, Syangja.
Rescue teams pulled the occupants from the crash site, and the injured were taken to hospitals. Police are investigating the cause.
Driver among those killed
The dead include 67 year old Dilip Kumar Bagale of Waling Municipality 2, Syangja, and 60 year old Shiva Parajuli of Waling Municipality 10.
Also killed were Loknath Pandey, Sita Pandey and Kulananda Pandey, all originally from Sirkot in Kaligandaki Rural Municipality 1, Gulmi, as well as Nita Bagale, who died after being taken to hospital.
Five victims died at the scene, while the sixth died during treatment.
Three injured, one in critical condition
Three people survived the crash but sustained injuries.
Chhabilal Pandey, from Kaligandaki Rural Municipality 1, Gulmi, was reported to be in critical condition. Gomata Pandey, from the same area, and Balkrishna Subedi, from Waling Municipality in Syangja, were also injured.
They were taken to medical centres, with some requiring transfer to hospitals.
Local residents and police personnel from Purtighat Police Post, Ridi Area Police Office and Gulmi District Police Office assisted with the rescue.
SUV plunged about 250 metres
The Scorpio SUV, registration number Ba 0220, left the road while travelling towards Rakse in Gulmi and fell about 250 metres down a steep slope.
The crash occurred in the Arbeni area of Kaligandaki Rural Municipality 2, on a route connecting communities in Gulmi with neighbouring Syangja district.
The steep drop made the rescue operation difficult, as emergency crews had to recover the victims from below the road.
Police investigation underway
Police said they are continuing to investigate the crash. The reason the vehicle left the road has not yet been established.
Officials are gathering further information about the incident.
The crash underscores the dangers of driving on hilly roads, where vehicles can plunge long distances down steep slopes.
Further details are expected as the investigation proceeds.