Kathmandu  - At least 10 people were killed when a bus plunged from a narrow mountain highway in western Nepal, police said Sunday.

It fell nearly 800 metres into a narrow gorge while negotiating a sharp bend in remote Baitadi district, about 500 kilometres west of Kathmandu.

Police said 10 another seven people were taken to hospital in serious condition.

The bus was carrying 17 passengers between the western town of Mahendranagar and neighbouring Bhajhang district.

It was not immediately clear why the driver lost control, but police said they suspected he could have been speeding.

Nepal has notorious road safety records with hundreds killed each year in public transport accidents, most the result of violation of safety regulations by operators. dpa