Seven people including the driver were killed in a bus accident in Wangdue Phodrang yesterday. The public transport bus they were travelling in plunged into the Punatsangchu River, about 100 metres below the road near the Basochhu hydropower colony.
According to police, falling boulders had hit the bus after which the driver lost control of the vehicle. The bus was heading towards Tsirang from Thimphu.
There were 24 people on board.
Of the 16 passengers, who were injured, 3 were referred to the national referral hospital in Thimphu,5 are still under observation in Bajo Hospital and 8 were discharged.
Meanwhile, the search is still underway for one missing passenger.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) facebook page yesterday said that PM after attending to the situation at the Bajo hospital in Wangduephodrang, where His Majesty The King personally supervised and guided rescue and relief efforts, returned to JDWNRH to examine the three patients.
“We offer our sincere gratitude to the Royal Bhutan Army, Royal Bhutan Police, Desuups, dzongkhag administration officials, PHPA and health officials for the selfless rescue efforts. The works were carried out amid landslides and falling boulders.”
PM also thank the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong reconstruction project team and the residents for arranging meals and refreshment for those helping at the site.
It also stated that RSTA has been asked to closely monitor road and weather conditions in the coming days before allowing public transports to leave the terminals. “We would once again, like to appeal to everyone to refrain from travelling in this climate.”
“We offer our prayers for those who lost their lives today and wish much strength to the loved ones to see through the difficult time,” says PMO’s facebook page.
