At least five passengers were killed and 17 others injured when an overcrowded microbus met with an accident on Bhimdutta Highway in Chisapani Kasanichour of far-western Kailali district Sunday afternoon.

The Se-1-Ja 175 microbus en route to Dadeldhura from Attariya, Kailali, skidded off the road and plunged into a gorge at around 2:00 pm, reports said.

Four of those killed in the accident have been identified as eight-month old Anish Thapa Magar, police Assistant Sub-inspector Nar Bahadur Deuba, army man Nanda Bahadur Thapa Magar and Chandra Joshi.

Thirteen of the injured passengers have been admitted at Seti Zonal Hospital in Dhangadhi for treatment.