Kathmandu: In a tragic news coming from Nepal, two buses fell into the Trishuli river due to a landslide on a highway on Friday morning. According to officials present at the spot, 63 people including drivers were travelling in both the buses. According to media reports, 7 Indians and a bus driver died in the accident. More than 60 people are missing and an operation is going on to find their trace.
According to Nepali media house Kathmandu Post, the death of a bus driver has been confirmed, while 2 people saved their lives by jumping from the bus.
The accident took place at around 3.30 am on the Madan-Ashri Highway in Central Nepal. Search and rescue operations are facing difficulties due to continuous rain and strong current of water in river.
Nepal PM expressed grief over the accident
Chitwan Chief District Officer Indradev Yadav told news agency ANI over the phone that a bus that fell into the river due to the landslide was going to Kathmandu. There were 24 people in it. 41 people were travelling in the other bus.
Visuals of the Landslide
Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has expressed grief over the accident. He wrote on social media, ‘I am deeply saddened by the reports of about five dozen passengers missing after the bus was swept away by a landslide at Narayangarh-Muglin Road Station. I direct all government agencies to search for the passengers and rescue them safely.’
According to District Magistrate Indradev Yadav, buses named Angel and Ganapati Deluxe were swept away in the landslide, which were going from Kathmandu to Gaur in Rautahat. According to preliminary reports, there were 24 people in the bus going to Kathmandu and 41 people in the other bus.
Officials informed that three passengers in Ganapati Deluxe were successful in saving their lives by jumping from the bus. Superintendent of Police Bhavesh Rimal said that Nepal Police and Armed Police Force personnel are engaged in relief and rescue work.