Bhubaneswar: Seven Indian nationals are among 65 people believed to be missing in Nepal after two buses were swept away by a landslide on the Madan-Ashrit Highway and pushed into the swollen Trishuli River early on Friday.
The landslide was triggered in Simaltal area along Narayanghat-Mugling road in Chitwan district, around 100 km from the capital Kathmandu, following heavy rain. There were seven Indian nationals among the passengers on the bus, police said.
Chief District Officer of Chitwan, Indradev Yadav, confirmed the incident which reportedly took place around 3.30 am. “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,” Yadav told ANI.
Nepali Army shared a video of the search and rescue operation. While 24 people were onboard the Kathmandu-bound Angel bus, 41 other passengers were travelling on Ganpati Deluxe, which was going to Gaur from the Nepal capital. Three passengers on the Ganpati Deluxe bus reportedly escaped after jumping out of the vehicle, The Kathmandu Post reported.
Landslides and floods have reportedly killed more than 90 people in Nepal since mid-June.