KATHMANDU, Nepal — A tragic accident occurred early Friday in western Nepal when a passenger van lost control and fell off a mountain road, resulting in the death of eight individuals and leaving four others injured, as reported by the local army.

The van plunged approximately 200 meters (650 feet) down the slope near Shaileshikar village, located around 600 kilometers (375 miles) from the capital city, Kathmandu. At the time of the accident, the vehicle was transporting passengers who had just attended a festive event in a nearby town.

In response to the incident, the army deployed a helicopter to assist in the rescue efforts for the four injured victims, who were subsequently airlifted to a hospital for medical care.

The cause of the van’s crash is still under investigation, and authorities have not yet determined the factors that led to the accident.

The road conditions in Nepal are notoriously challenging, characterized by narrow and poorly maintained paths that traverse mountainous terrain. Additionally, the autumn and winter seasons often bring adverse weather, compounding the difficulties of safe driving in such areas.