A 24-year-old British national is among 19 people who lost their lives following a devastating bus accident in Nepal, authorities have confirmed.

The tourist bus was en route to Kathmandu from Pokhara when it lost control and plunged approximately 200 metres down a steep slope before crashing onto the banks of the Trishuli River in Dhading district early Monday morning.

A total of 44 people, including the driver, were on board at the time of the incident. While 19 people died, 25 others sustained injuries and were transported to hospitals in Kathmandu for treatment. Children were reported to be among the passengers.

Nepalese authorities identified the British victim as Stewart Dominic Ethan, although his identity has yet to be formally confirmed by the UK Foreign Office, which said it is providing support to the family affected by the tragedy.

Rescue operations involved multiple emergency teams, including police, military personnel, and specialist divers. According to police spokesperson Abinarayan Kafle, 17 victims died at the scene, while two others succumbed to injuries later in hospital.

Officials also indicated that a Chinese citizen may be among the dead, though this has not been fully confirmed. Among the injured are nationals from China and New Zealand.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash.

Road accidents remain a significant challenge in Nepal due to difficult terrain, narrow mountain routes, and road conditions. A similar tragedy occurred in 2024 when a bus travelling between Pokhara and Kathmandu fell into the Marsyangdi River in Tanahun district, resulting in at least 14 fatalities.

Despite such risks, Nepal continues to attract visitors from around the world, particularly adventurers drawn to the Himalaya, home to some of the highest peaks globally, including Mount Everest. Tourism, especially mountaineering, remains an important contributor to the nation’s economy, generating significant revenue each year through climbing permits.

A powerful winter storm sweeping through the northeastern United States has led to the cancellation of more than 5,000 flights, creating widespread travel disruptions and prompting emergency measures across several states.

According to flight tracking platform FlightAware, a total of 5,326 flights within, into, or out of the United States were cancelled by 08:45 GMT (03:45 ET) on Monday.

States including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, and Rhode Island declared states of emergency as heavy snowfall and strong winds intensified conditions across the region.

Authorities in New York City announced the closure of public schools on Monday — marking the first blizzard warning for the city in nearly a decade. Officials confirmed that 13 school buildings would remain open as warming centres to support residents affected by the extreme weather.

Closures were also reported in parts of Pennsylvania and surrounding states, while in Washington DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed that public schools would operate on a two-hour delayed schedule.

The storm’s impact extended beyond the United States. Several transatlantic flights from the UK were cancelled, including departures from Heathrow Airport to major US cities such as Boston, Philadelphia, and New York. Flights from Manchester and Edinburgh to New York were also cancelled, alongside some services between the US and Dublin Airport due to adverse weather.

The blizzard has already delivered up to 18 inches (45cm) of snow in eastern Pennsylvania, with forecasts suggesting totals could reach as much as 2 feet (60cm) in some areas before conditions ease Monday night.

Wind gusts of up to 70mph are expected to create dangerous snow drifts and could bring down trees and power lines, increasing the risk of outages.

The National Weather Service, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has issued winter storm and blizzard warnings affecting tens of millions of residents across the region.

A blizzard warning is triggered when sustained winds or frequent gusts exceed 35mph (56km/h), accompanied by significant falling or blowing snow for at least three hours — conditions now being experienced across large parts of the northeast.

The storm is expected to move into maritime Canada by Monday night, while another system — known as an Alberta clipper — could bring additional snowfall to the region later in the week.

Search efforts and inquiries remain ongoing after Prince Andrew was released under investigation following a day spent in police custody.

More than 19 hours after he was photographed reclining in the back seat of a vehicle upon release, the King’s younger brother remains at the centre of an active inquiry. The 66-year-old spent approximately 11 hours in custody on his birthday after being arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The development marked the first arrest of a senior royal in modern history.

Following his release, Andrew departed Aylsham Police Station after a lengthy period that involved hours of transport and waiting.

Although no charges have been filed, Andrew has been released under investigation — meaning he is free to resume daily activities for now, but remains subject to further questioning as inquiries progress.

Authorities continue to examine matters linked to properties associated with the Duke, including locations connected to the Sandringham Estate.

According to royal correspondent Helena Wilkinson, Andrew’s legal situation remains unresolved, and he may be required to return for additional interviews as the investigation develops.