By Nash Seman
In a swift display of compassion and diplomatic support, the United Arab Emirates has expressed profound solidarity with Nepal and offered heartfelt condolences following a devastating bus accident in the Dhading district that resulted in at least 19 deaths and 25 injuries.
The tragedy unfolded in the early hours of February 23, 2026, when a passenger bus traveling from the scenic tourist hub of Pokhara to the capital Kathmandu veered off the Prithvi Highway. The vehicle plunged approximately 200 meters (about 656 feet) down a steep mountainside, coming to rest on the banks of the Trishuli River near Benighat in Benighat Rorang Rural Municipality. The incident occurred around 1:15–1:30 a.m. local time in a rugged, hilly section of central Nepal, roughly 80–90 km west of Kathmandu.
Police reports indicate the bus was carrying 44 people, including the driver and additional staff. Rescue operations, involving local police, armed forces, and emergency responders, were launched immediately. The injured were rushed to hospitals in Kathmandu and surrounding areas for urgent medical care. Among the victims was a 24-year-old British national, with other foreign nationals including individuals from China, New Zealand, and possibly India reported among the deceased and injured. Nepal’s Ministry of Home Affairs has established a five-member investigative committee to probe the cause, with early indications pointing to potential factors such as loss of vehicle control on the challenging mountainous road, possibly exacerbated by speed, road conditions, or other variables.
This heartbreaking event marks one of the deadliest road accidents in Nepal in recent months, underscoring persistent safety concerns on the nation’s winding, high-altitude highways like the Prithvi route, which connects major tourist destinations but features sharp curves and significant drops.
The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) promptly issued an official statement expressing deep sympathy. It conveyed sincere condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the government and people of Nepal. The ministry also extended wishes for a swift and complete recovery to all those injured in the calamity.
This gesture of support highlights the UAE’s enduring commitment to international solidarity and humanitarian concern in times of adversity, reinforcing its strong diplomatic relations with Nepal and other nations facing such challenges.
Nepal continues to grapple with high rates of road accidents due to its challenging terrain, variable weather, and infrastructure demands. Authorities are calling for strengthened safety protocols, while the nation unites in mourning the lives lost and supporting the affected families during this difficult period.
