Sindhupalchowk bus accident toll hits 20; over dozen still missing

At least 20 dead bodies have been recovered so far from the bus accident site at Bhainse in Sindhupalchok district, along the Arniko highway, while more than a dozen others are still missing.A packed passenger bus with the number plate Na-2-Kha 6228 on its way to Kathmandu from Jalbire, Sindhupalchowk, plunged into the Sunkoshi River at around 9:30 a.m. Thursday.The number of passengers travelling in the ill-fated bus remains sketchy, but reports said there were at least 35 passengers. Identities of 17 out of 20 deceased have been confirmed.Some passengers are believed to have been trapped inside the bus while a few were swept away by the swelling river. Three rescued passengers have been brought to Kathmandu for treatment.Local fishermen and officials from Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force are involved in rescue works, but they have not been able to pull those trapped inside the bus.Most of the missing passengers are feared dead. Reports quoting the rescued passengers said the excessive speed was the main cause of the accident.