DHAKA: A crowded bus skidded off a hilly road in far-western Nepal on Monday, killing at least 23 people and injuring 40 others, while heavy rain hampered rescue efforts, stasiareport.com reports. 

The passenger bus, packed with people travelling during the country's busy holiday season to celebrate the Hindu festival of Dashain, was headed south from the district of Doti when the accident occurred, a local official said.

"The accident happened late this afternoon. So far, 23 bodies have been recovered," said Gobinda Bahadur Karki, an official based in Doti.

A district police officer said the bus plunged more than 200 metres (656 feet) down the hill in Chhatiwan village.

BDST: 2136 HRS, OCT 06, 2014