Govt to seek Chinese help to search missing buses, passengers

KATHMANDU: The government has decided to seek assistance from China to search for two buses and passengers swept into Trishuli River by a landslide near Simltal of the Muglin-Narayanghat road.

Home Secretary Eknath Aryal told the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the House of Representatives that help has already been sought from India, and China will also be approached for assistance. “We are preparing to request the Chinese government’s help to search the missing buses and passengers in the Trishuli River,” he said.

The landslide swept away two moving buses – one coming to Kathmandu from Birgunj and the other heading to Rautahat from Kathmandu – at around 3 am on July 12. Out of the 65 passengers on these buses, only three managed to swim to safety. Rescue workers have so far recovered 24 bodies. The whereabouts of the remaining passengers and the buses are still unknown.

Despite deploying an Indian rescue team, the search has been unsuccessful in locating the missing people and the buses. Personnel of the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and the Nepal Police are still involved in the search.