At least 26 people have died after an overcrowded bus plunged off a mountain road in Nepal, according to officials.

Thirty six more were injured when the bus veered off the road near a village around 250 miles west of Kathmandu, rolling 650ft down a slope before crashing into the Pasagad river.

Villagers helped police and soldiers pull the bodies and the injured from the wreckage after the accident in the district of Jajarkot on Thursday.

Image: Crowds gather at the foot of the mountain in Jajarkot where the accident took place

Government administrator Krishna Chandra Poudel said rescue helicopters flew 18 people to hospital in Nepalgunj city, near Nepal's southern border.

Another eight people were due to be rescued by helicopter on Friday, but had to wait due to bad weather conditions.


Accidents in Nepal are often blamed on poorly maintained roads - many of which are narrow mountain routes - and vehicles in bad condition.