Nepal protests claim 51 lives, Indian tourists and pilgrims caught in violence

Nepal is reeling after nationwide protests led by Gen Z youths turned deadly. Officials have confirmed that 51 people have died so far. This includes three police officers and a woman from India.

The casualties span Kathmandu Valley and several other districts.

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The demonstrations began with anger against corruption. It quickly escalated into violent clashes eventually. On the first day alone, 19 people lost their lives. Among the dead, nine were prisoners, five were teenagers from a juvenile correctional facility, and three were police officers caught in the chaos.

Many others suffered burns and other serious injuries.

Authorities report that a total of 1,771 people were injured during the protests. Of these, 284 are currently admitted to hospitals for treatment.

Today, four young protesters who died were cremated at Pashupati Aryaghat in Kathmandu, following post-mortem examinations at Tribhuvan University Institute of Medicine.

Also Read: Both houses of parliament urge resolution within constitutional framework after Nepal protests

Tragedy also struck foreign tourists caught in the unrest. A 57-year-old woman from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, Rajesh Gola, died after jumping from a hotel that was set on fire during the violence. She had been on a multi-day trip with her husband when their hotel, Hyatt Regency, caught fire.

In an attempt to escape, she leapt from the building and suffered fatal injuries. Her husband, Ramvir Singh Gola, is currently hospitalized.

Bus carrying 49 Indians attacked with stones

A bus carrying Indian pilgrims returning from the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu was allegedly attacked during the ongoing protests in Nepal. The incident took place on September 9 near the Sonauli border.

Stones were hurled at the vehicle, smashing its windows and causing panic inside. Among the injured were elderly people and women. They had gone to seek blessings at the sacred temple before being caught in the violence, the bus driver recounted.

Local authorities quickly stepped in to help the victims, admitting the injured to a hospital in Kathmandu. For the remaining, the ordeal ended with an emergency evacuation.

With assistance from the Nepalese government, the Indian Embassy arranged a special flight to bring rest of the passengers safely back to India.