Rescuers in Nepal have recovered seven bodies from a river where two buses were swept into by a landslide, officials confirmed on Monday. The bodies were found in various locations along the riverbanks as the search continues for the missing buses and passengers.
Government administrator Khima Nanda Bhusal stated that the bodies have been identified, and relatives of the deceased have been notified. Among the deceased, three are Indian nationals, while the remaining four are Nepali citizens.
The tragic incident occurred on the key highway linking Nepal's capital to the southern regions of the country. The buses were swept away on Friday morning near Simaltal, approximately 120 kilometers west of Kathmandu.
The first body was discovered on Sunday, around 50 kilometers from the location where the buses were engulfed by the landslide. Improved weather conditions on Saturday enabled search teams to cover more ground in their efforts to locate the missing buses and passengers.
Heavy equipment was deployed to clear much of the landslide debris from the highway, facilitating easier access to the affected area. The search operation has now expanded towards the southern region from where the initial body was recovered, according to Bhusal.
In response to the incident, the government has implemented a ban on passenger buses traveling at night in areas where weather warnings are in effect, as directed by the Home Ministry.
