Over 60 individuals are currently missing following a devastating landslide that carried two passenger buses into a swollen river during the early hours of Friday in central Nepal. The tragic incident occurred when a landslide engulfed a road that connects Chitwan and Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital city, causing the buses to plunge into the Trishuli River.
One of the buses, operated by Angel Bus, was en route to Kathmandu, while the other bus, operated by Ganapati Deluxe, was traveling to Rautahat from the capital. The local police reported that there were 24 passengers on the Kathmandu-bound bus and 41 passengers on the Rautahat-bound bus. Fortunately, three passengers from the Rautahat-bound bus managed to survive by jumping off before the bus entered the river.
Rescue efforts involving teams from the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police have been underway since the accident. Despite deploying around 250 rescuers equipped with boats to the site, the missing buses have not been located yet due to the challenging conditions, with the rising river level hindering search operations.
Tragically, this year’s monsoon season has brought about more deadly disasters than usual in Nepal, a country highly susceptible to climate change. Recent floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains claimed the lives of at least 15 individuals in a single day earlier this month, with another 11 fatalities occurring in a landslide in Pokhara on Thursday night.
Expressing concerns over late-night bus journeys, some officials have called for adjustments to bus operation schedules during monsoons. Lawmaker Rajendra Prasad Pandey even suggested banning night bus services to ensure passenger safety during inclement weather conditions.
The escalating death toll from monsoon-related incidents in Nepal coincides with a period of political turmoil, as Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal faces a crucial parliamentary vote on Friday that could potentially lead to the collapse of the government.
