KATHMANDU: Two individuals died in a tractor accident in Makalu Rural Municipality-3, Samatar, in the Sankhuwasabha district on Wednesday. The accident occurred when the tractor, traveling from Barun to Khandbari along the Kimathangka Road section, veered off the road and fell approximately 300 meters into the Arun River.

The victims, identified as driver Kiran Shrestha and co-driver Udit Shrestha, both from Khandbari Municipality-8, Bishnedhara, died instantly. The tractor fell off the cliff and was swept away by the river, making it difficult for authorities to recover and identify its number plate.

According to Ramkumar Lamichhane, a police inspector at the district police office, the accident resulted in immediate fatalities for both occupants. The vehicle's identification details remain unknown due to the river's impact on the tractor.

The police are investigating the accident, but the exact cause of the vehicle's departure from the road is still under review.