The toll, it is feared, would rise as dozens of passengers are missing still.

The remoteness of the village as well as the strength of the river current had made rescue work difficult and hazardous, police said.

Nepal has one of the highest rates of road accidents in the world with bad roads, old vehicles and reckless drivers contributing to it.

Most public buses are overcrowded defying safety regulations with people crammed on the roof during the eve of festivals.

The worst road accident occurred in Dang district in western Nepal last year when 43 people were killed.