By Premraj Simkhada, Pushpa Bhattarai, Kalikot, June 10: Survivors of the tipper accident in Kalikot have blamed the driver for jumping off the running tipper and leaving it slide into the Karnali River on purpose.

38 India returnees were on board and they were heading to quarantine in Raskot. The passengers had only requested the driver Ranganath Dhamala to drive faster.  

Out of anger, driver Dhamala got off the moving tipper. The accident took place due to utter negligence of the driver, informed Shyambabu Oliya, Chief of Kalikot District Police Office.  

The police have already arrested the driver.

The passengers who were able to save themselves have claimed that the driver jumped off the moving tipper, letting it fall into the river.

Kamar Sarki, husband of Thamki Sarki, who died in the accident, said, "I tried to pull out my wife and daughter from the tipper but I couldn't." He said that his wife Thamki was seven months pregnant.

Meanwhile, Lalijan Bam of Palata pulled out two dead bodies floating on the river.

The Nepali Army and local administration have started search of those who have gone missing.

Raskot Municipality had sent its own tipper with registration number 'Na 8 Kha 5133' to bring people into quarantine.

Two people who lost their lives in the accident have been identified as Sarmila Sarki, 25, and Thamki Sarki, 21.

2-year old daughter of deceased Thamki Sarki and 22-year old Manna Sharki Kumal are still missing.

18 passengers were able to save themselves from drowning and eight people have been injured in the accident.

Nispata Sarki and Min Sarki of Raskot-2 have been critically injured and have been airlifted to Surkhet for treatment.