Nepal Landslide: 7 Indians killed, several missing after landslide sweeps away two passenger buses into Trishuli River
Nepal Landslide: In a tragic and dreadful incident in Nepal, seven Indians killed and several passengers missing after a landslide along the Madan-Ashrit Highway in Central Nepal swept away two passenger buses into the Trishuli River.
The landslide, triggered by incessant monsoon rains, unfolded on Madan-Ashrit Highway in Central Nepal at around 3:30 am amid heavy rainfall in the region.
The two passenger buses in the tragic incident involved the Kathmandu-bound Angel bus and Ganpati Deluxe.
As per the preliminary reports of the officials, there were 24 people onboard the bus that was heading to Kathmandu and 41 people were travelling in another bus.
One of the buses that was carrying the seven Indians who died was on its way from Birgunj to Kathmandu.
Confirming the tragic incident, Chief District Officer of Chitwan, Indradev Yadav said, “As per the preliminary information both the buses were carrying a total of 63 people, including the bus drivers. The landslide swept the buses at around 3:30 AM. We are at the incident site and a search operation is underway. Incessant rain is hampering our efforts to search for the missing buses.”
Taking to X, Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal stated, "I am deeply saddened by the reports of about five dozen passengers that are missing when bus was washed away by a landslide on the Narayangadh- Muglin road section and the loss of properties due to floods and landslides in different parts of the country. I direct all agencies of the government, including the home administration, to search and effectively rescue the passengers."
नारायणगढ-मुग्लिन सडकखण्डको सिमतालमा पहिरोले बस बगाउँदा झण्डै पाँच दर्जन यात्रु बेपत्ता एवं देशका विभिन्न भागमा बाढी पहिरोका कारण भएको धनजनको क्षतिप्रति गहिरो दुख व्यक्त गर्दछु। यात्रुहरूको खोजी एवं प्रभावकारी उद्धारका लागि गृह प्रशासन लगायत सरकारका सबै निकायलाई निर्देशित गर्दछु। — ☭ Comrade Prachanda (@cmprachanda) July 12, 2024
All the flights from Kathmandu to Chitwan's Bharatpur has been cancelled for the day as the weather remains grim.
Meanwhile, debris from landslides at various places has obstructed traffic on the Narayanghat-Mugling road section.
- With inputs from agencies
