World

Hopes fade of finding survivors after Nepal landslide

By AAP Newswire

Jul 13, 2024

A search and rescue operation following a landslide in Simaltal, Nepal — Nepalese authorities have found only a curtain and a pair of trousers as they search for survivors. -EPA

Rescuers have searched for 51 passengers and crew who went missing after a landslide swept their buses into a Nepalese river swollen by heavy rain, but believe the chances of finding any survivors are fading.

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About 500 rescuers resumed their search of the site of Friday's incident in Chitwan district, about 100km west of the capital Kathmandu, but security personnel and divers have only found a curtain from one of the bus windows and a pair of trousers, said Khimananda Bhusal, deputy chief administrator of the district.

Seven Indian nationals are among the missing passengers.

At least three other passengers managed to jump off the buses before the landslide struck, escaping with minor injuries.

"Chances of finding survivors are slim because over 30 hours have passed since the buses were swept into the river," Bhusal told Reuters by telephone.

"The water level has receded this morning but it is still very murky."

Landslides and floods triggered by torrential monsoon rains have killed at least 91 people in Nepal since mid-June.

Images on social media on Friday showed rescue boats on the fast-flowing Trishuli River.

Following the landslide, the government announced plans to ban buses from travelling at night in places with poor weather forecasting facilities.