Updated: On Monday, a bus explosion in Nepal killed 38 civilians and injured at leat 70 others. Believed to be the handiwork of Maoist rebels, the explosion was caused by a planted land mine. However, Maoists have not yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
At around 8.00 am, the bus was cruising on a rural highway when it drove over the land mine near Badarmude village, which lies south of Kathmandu. The landmine detonated, blowing the bus and the passengers to smithereens.
“The bodies have been torn into pieces making it difficult for a headcount,” said one of the officials aiding rescue work.
Narendra Poudel, the administrative head of Chitwan district, said that seven ambulances and one helicopter have been sent for rescue work. He added that the injured are being taken to Kathmandu in the helicopter. Some have been admitted in a nearby hospital for treatment.
Further details are awaited since the area where the explosion occurred is not easily accessible.
Maoist ultras, inspired by Chinese rebel Mao Zedong, have been agitating since 1996 to establish communist regime in Nepal. However, they generally target military and government officials and not civilians. So far, the Maoist agenda has claimed the lives of around 12 000 people in Nepal and has negatively affected tourism in the country.
