Hetauda, November 13
Families of those killed in Thursday’s electric van accident at Chisapani Gadhi in Bhimphedi Rural Municipality of Makwanpur have agreed to receive the bodies, paving the way for postmortem examinations.
The families had refused to collect the bodies since Thursday, demanding Rs 1 million in compensation for each deceased person from the federal government, government coverage of medical expenses for the injured and employment opportunities for family members. The postmortem examinations had consequently been delayed.
Assistant Chief District Officer of Makwanpur, Shesh Kanta Paudel, who also heads the accident investigation committee, said the families agreed to receive the bodies following discussions among the District Administration Office, the investigation committee and the bereaved families on Friday.
According to Paudel, the meeting agreed to incorporate the families’ demands into the committee’s investigation report, facilitate the immediate provision of relief and compensation available under existing laws, and request the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers to provide additional assistance.
The Prime Minister’s Office has also said that processes for relief and compensation, as well as medical treatment for the injured, have been initiated.
The electric van, with registration number Madhesh Province 03-001 Ja 0880, plunged around 500 metres off the road, killing 14 of the 20 people aboard, including the driver. Six others were injured and are receiving treatment at hospitals in Hetauda, Bharatpur and Kathmandu, police said.
