
More than 60 people are missing in Nepal following a devastating landslide caused by heavy rains that swept two buses off a highway and into a river, officials reported.
The incident occurred in the central district of Chitwan, where rescue teams are diligently searching for survivors, according to district official Khimananda Bhusal speaking to media. Initially carrying at least 66 passengers combined, the buses careened into the water after heavy rains weakened the terrain.
“Three passengers managed to escape before the buses plunged into the river and are currently receiving medical treatment,” Bhusal said, cautioning that the total number of passengers remains uncertain due to potential additional pick-ups along the route.
“The river’s swollen state has hindered further rescue efforts,” he added.
The tragedy unfolded along the Narayanghat-Mugling highway, approximately 100 kilometers (60 miles) west of Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital.
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal expressed condolences over the incident via a social media platform, urging government agencies, including law enforcement, to expedite rescue operations.
Nepal frequently faces deadly road accidents due to poor road conditions, inadequate vehicle maintenance, and reckless driving, exacerbated during the monsoon season by landslides and floods.