- Friday, December 27, 2024
The first body from the two buses was recovered from a rain-swollen river about 50 km away from the accident site
By: Shajil Kumar
Rescuers in Nepal on Saturday recovered the body of a 40-year-old Indian national, the first from two buses that were swept by a mudslide into a rain-swollen river with more than 50 passengers.
The two buses carrying 54 passengers, including seven Indians, went missing in the Trishuli River in the landslides at the Simaltal area along the Narayanghat-Mugling road in Chitwan district on Friday. Three people swam to safety later.
The first body from the buses has been recovered from 50 km away from the accident site. The deceased was identified as Rishi Pal Shahi from India, police said.
The body was found half covered by sand in the Narayani River of Chitwan district, police said, adding that he was carrying an Indian ID.
Other missing Indian nationals are earlier identified as Santosh Thakur, Surendra Sah, Adit Miyaan, Sunil, Shahnawaj Alam, and Ansari.
Rescuers assisted by divers from Nepal’s security forces on Saturday resumed the search for the missing persons.
The search operation was stopped on Friday evening as it was not possible to work during the night with high water current coupled with muddy water.
Earlier, it was reported that there were more than 60 people on board the two buses.
Nepal’s army, police and armed police personnel along with deep divers are being mobilised to resume the search operation, according to the Nepal Police.
More than 500 security personnel are involved in the search operations, according to the police official.
There were 24 people including seven Indian nationals on board a bus heading towards Kathmandu from Birgunj and another bus heading to Gaur from Kathmandu was carrying 30 local people.
The two buses fell into the river as the landslide accompanied by muddy water, triggered by heavy rain, swept them away. (PTI)
