Probe committee formed to investigate Pathibhara jeep incident
Other members include departmental engineers Shalikram Bhandari and Narayan Shrestha, along with a professor from Pulchowk Engineering Campus.
KATHMANDU: The Department of Electricity Development has formed a four-member committee to investigate Monday’s tragic vehicle accident in the Pathibhara area.
According to department spokesperson Sandip Dev, the investigation committee is led by senior engineer Nutan Sharma.
Other members include departmental engineers Shalikram Bhandari and Narayan Shrestha, along with a professor from Pulchowk Engineering Campus.
Committee coordinator Sharma said they will soon visit the accident site to study the cause and submit a detailed report to the department. “We will analyze how the incident occurred, including how the electric wire came loose,” Sharma said. “The report will identify weaknesses and recommend preventive measures to avoid such incidents in the future.” While no deadline has been set, he emphasized that the committee will act promptly.
The accident occurred when a Jeep traveling from Phungling to Kaflepati caught fire after coming into contact with a sagging electric wire.
Four people died at the scene from electrocution.
One person is currently undergoing treatment in Kathmandu.
The deceased have been identified as Binod Paudel and Sarita Paudel of Bhadrapur, Jhapa; their granddaughter Aadhya Acharya of Lalitpur; and the Jeep driver Durga Bhattarai of Fungling, Taplejung. Sabina Paudel Acharya was critically injured, while her son survived the accident unscathed.
The incident happened near Sewaro Chowk as the Jeep was transporting five passengers to Pathibhara.
