Nepal Landslide: Two Buses Plunge Into Trishuli River, Leaving 63 People Missing
Nepal Landslide: Two Buses Plunge Into Trishuli River, Leaving 63 People Missing
In a tragic incident early Friday morning, two buses carrying a total of 63 people, including the drivers, plunged into the Trishuli River after being caught in a landslide on the Madan-Ashrit highway in central Nepal. The incident occurred around 3:30 am amid heavy rains, making search and rescue operations extremely challenging due to the continuous downpour and strong river currents.
According to initial reports, 60 people are missing, with the death of one bus driver confirmed. Two passengers managed to save their lives by jumping from the buses. Indradev Yadav, speaking to a news agency, stated, “The buses were overturned in the landslide. We are at the scene, and search operations are ongoing despite the continuous rain.”
Nepal’s Prime Minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda,’ has directed all government agencies to prioritize the search and rescue efforts. “Deeply saddened by the news of about five dozen passengers missing after buses were washed away due to landslides on Narayangarh-Mughlin road and property damage due to floods and landslides in various parts of the country,” Dahal wrote on Twitter. He has urged the home department and other government agencies to conduct an effective rescue operation.
Due to the inclement weather, all flights from Kathmandu to Bharatpur have been canceled, adding to the disruption caused by the monsoon season. At least 62 people have been killed and 90 others injured in rain-related incidents since the start of the monsoon season, according to Nepal’s home ministry officials.
