Two persons died and 22 others were injured in a van accident at Bharabliya Village in Lumbini Sanskritik Municipality-7, Rupandehi.

According to the District Police Office, Rupandehi, the deceased have been identified as Asmita Yadav (12) of Gaidahawa Rural Municipality-1 and Janmati Yadav (48) of Shuddodhan Rural Municipality-6.

The accident took place when the four-wheeler (Lu 1 Cha 2763) with 24 passengers was returning home after participating in a ritual at Lumbini-based Mayadevi Temple. It overturned at Shivagadhiya on Monday evening due to over speed, said Sandeep Gupta, an eye witness. 

Of the injured, three have been receiving treatment at Life Care Hospital, Lumbini, while remaining 19 at Universal College of Medical Sciences, Ranigaun, Bhairahawa.

Police have arrested the jeep driver, Ashok Pasi (26) of Shuddodhan Rural Municipality-4 for the investigation, said Deputy Superintendent of Police, Suraj Karki.