Five members of a family were on the bus swept into Narayani. Four are missing.

KATHMANDU: Five members of a family were traveling on a bus that was swept away by a landslide at Simaltal on the Muglin-Narayanghat road early Friday morning.

One of them, Saroj Sah, managed to swim to safety. Others are missing.

Nandu Sah told Himal Press that his cousin Saroj survived by swimming but four other family members, who were traveling on the bus operated by Ganapati Deluxe, are missing.

Nandu himself had helped the five board the bus at Dhungeadda on Thursday evening. “I had bought tickets for all five of them. The condition of my uncle, aunt, sister, and brother-in-law is unknown. My cousin survived by swimming,” Nandu said.

According to Nandu, Saroj informed him about the accident on Friday morning. “Saroj told me he is safe but the other four are missing,” Nandu told Himal Press.

Nandu’s uncle Parshuram Shah, aunt Meena Devi, sister Rinku Devi, and brother-in-law Ram Naresh Sah are missing.

Nandu said the family had arrived in Kathmandu to attend the passing out ceremony of Saroj’s brother at the Nepal Army Recruit Training Center in Trishuli of Nuwakot. “After attending the passing out ceremony in Trishuli, they came to Kathmandu and toured different parts of the country. They were returning home in Ward No. 3 of Baudhimai Municipality, Rautahat,” he added.

A total of 28 passengers were on the bus, according to Ganapati Deluxe Travels. It is not clear how many passengers boarded along the way. Three of them managed to swim to safety. Others are missing.

Another bus heading to Kathmandu from Birgunj was also swept into the Narayani River by the landslide at the same time.