More than 60 people are missing after two passenger buses were swept into a swollen river by a massive landslide. This happened in the early hours of Friday, July 12, 2024 along the Narayanghat-Mugling highway near Simaltar, approximately 120km west of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.
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The landslide occurred at around 3:30 a.m. local time near Simaltar, Chitwan district. Two buses were swept off the highway into the Trishuli River.
The buses were carrying at least 65 people combined. One bus had 41 passengers traveling from Kathmandu to Gaur and the other had 24 passengers heading from Birgunj to Kathmandu.
Only three passengers survived managing to swim to safety. They were later taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
One survivor described being thrown out of the bus into the river and swimming in the dark battling the current and boulders.
Military and police forces were mobilized to search for the missing passengers. Rescuers including the Nepal Army, the Armed Police Force and the Nepal Police faced challenges due to continuous rain and landslides blocking access routes.
The heavy rains have swollen the river complicating rescue efforts. Rescuers have yet to locate the missing buses or additional passengers.
Another bus was hit by a landslide resulting in the death of the driver. In Kaski district landslides caused by the monsoon rains killed ten people washing away three houses.
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal expressed his sorrow over the disasters and urged government agencies to conduct search and rescue operations.
Authorities have called for alertness in the southeastern regions due to rising water levels in the Koshi River which flows through Nepal and India.
Three survivors swam to safety and were taken to a nearby hospital by locals. Over 500 rescue personnel including Nepal Army divers deployed for the search and rescue operations.
Continuous rain and additional landslides blocking routes to the area. Murky, fast-flowing river waters hampering visibility and rescue efforts. No trace of the buses found yet.
Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane reported 51 passengers missing to the parliament. Confirmed deployment of rescue personnel and resources.
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal expressed grief over the incident. Directed all government agencies to coordinate in the search and rescue efforts.
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Landslide near Pokhara killed a family of seven. Another bus hit by a landslide resulting in the driver’s death. 17 people died and three were injured due to landslides in different districts in the past 24 hours.
Multiple landslides blocking routes to the affected area. Efforts to clear debris and restore traffic flow. All flights from Kathmandu to Bharatpur canceled due to weather conditions.
Three passengers from the Ganpati Deluxe bus managed to escape by jumping out before the bus was swept away. Survivors were found by locals and taken to the hospital for treatment.
Locals reported quick and dangerous river conditions. Rescue personnel using rubber rafts and scuba gear to search for missing buses and passengers
Indradev Yadav, Chief District Officer of Chitwan confirmed the buses involved in the incident and detailed reports on the number of passengers and missing individuals.
Nepal Police and Armed Police Force actively involved in the rescue operations and cleared debris from landslides obstructing rescue efforts.
Nepal experiences heavy rainfall during the monsoon season from June to September often triggering landslides and floods. This season has been deadly with dozens of fatalities reported.
Nepal has a history of deadly landslides and floods during the monsoon season. Earlier this month floods and landslides claimed at least 15 lives in 24 hours. On Thursday night, 11 people died in a landslide in Pokhara including seven from a single family.
Officials have suggested adjustments to bus operation schedules during the monsoon season to avoid such incidents.
Legislator Rajendra Prasad Pandey proposed banning night bus services to reduce risks. The Nepalese disaster management agency reported 88 deaths due to monsoon-related incidents this year.
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