Nepal Landslide: Search operation underway as several missing after landslide sweeps away passenger buses into Trishuli River
Nepal Landslide: Search operation is underway in a tragic and dreadful incident in Nepal, claiming lives of seven Indians and several passengers missing which unfolded on Friday after a landslide along the Madan-Ashrit Highway in Central Nepal swept away two passenger buses into the Trishuli River.
In the wee hours of Saturday, rescue teams from the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police initiated their search in the Trishuli River along the Mugling-Narayangadh road section.
"Teams have been deployed for search operations. We are expecting the operation to be eased because the water level has receded in comparison to yesterday. Rainfall has stopped which would further enable us to expedite the search. More than a hundred Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police personnel including divers have been deployed," Bheshraj Rijal, DSP at District Police Office said.
The search was suspended at 6 pm (local time) on Friday because of nightfall. An official mentioned that the operation resumed at full scale after a 12-hour pause.
Nepal Army on Friday said, " After receiving the news that the buses carrying passengers had collapsed in Simaltal, Chitwan-based forces including divers have been deployed to carry out the rescue operation with the help of other security agencies and locals."
The official reported that the landslide swept away the Kathmandu-bound Angel bus which was on its way to Kathmandu, and the Ganpati Deluxe, heading from Kathmandu to Gaur in Rautahat.
Initial reports suggest there were 24 people on the bus to Kathmandu and 41 on the other bus. Three passengers from the Ganpati Deluxe managed to escape by jumping out.
One of the buses that was carrying the seven Indians who died was on its way from Birgunj to Kathmandu.
Meanwhile, debris from landslides at various places has obstructed traffic on the Narayanghat-Mugling road section.
- With inputs from agencies
