Nepalese rescue workers search for the victims at the site of the bus accident. (Press Trust of India))
A special Indian Air Force aircraft today airlifted the bodies of the 17 pilgrims killed in a bus accident in central Nepal.
"Aircraft carrying 17 dead, 22 injured and 43 safe passengers of the 2nd bus to arrive at Ahmadabad," Indian Embassy in Nepal said in a statement.
The plane took off from the Tribhuvan International Airport at 3:25 pm local time, Birendra Shrestha, the Acting General Manager of the airport, said.
The accident happened yesterday when a bus carrying around 45 pilgrims, who were returning to Gorakhpur in India after a pilgrimage to Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, plunged some 100 metre down from the hilly road at Naubise village in Dhading district.
44 passengers who were travelling in another bus are also being flown to India.
At least 17 Indian pilgrims including nine women were killed and 28 others injured in the accident.