An overloaded bus in western Nepal has fallen off a road and plunged into a gorge, killing 29 and injuring dozens.

Most of the passengers in the bus were reportedly travelling to meet their families to celebrate the Hindu festival of Dashain.

Police said the bus had more than 100 people, far more than what it was supposed to carry.

Officials said rescue operations were hampered by rain, according to the AFP news agency.

They are also attempting to find a passenger list, but the holiday season usually sees bus drivers picking up travellers without registering them.

The bus was travelling from Jogbuda to Dhangadi in the Doti district about 800km west of Kathmandu when the accident occurred.

Local and wire reports said it veered off a hilly road and fell at least 200m (656ft) into a gorge.

In January 2013, the same number of people were killed in the same area when a bus driver lost control on the road amid foggy conditions.

Bad roads and reckless driving are among the leading causes of road accidents in Nepal, says BBC Nepal's Surendra Phuyal.

In recent years, road accidents have claimed the lives of more than 1,500 people annually, says our correspondent.

Source: BBC