Over 60 passengers missing as two buses fall into Trishuli

Kathmandu, 12 July: At least 65 people traveling in two different buses are feared drowned as they fell into Trishuli River near Shimltal, on the Mugling-Narayangadh stretch of the High away early morning today.

One of the buses bound to Gaur from Kathmandu—Ganapati Deluxe- had 41 people including the driver on board while another on the way to Kathmandu from Birgunj had 24.

The buses were first trapped into a massive landslide and then forced into the turbulent river, Indra Deo Yadav, Chief District Officer (CDO) of Chitwan who has been overseeing the rescue attempt, said.

Nepal Army, Police and the Armed Police Force personnel have begun the rescue operation but the adverse weather and difficult terrain has blocked the attempt, officials said.

CDO Yadav said the roads are being cleared out and it is not yet possible to say anything authoritatively about the fate of the missing passengers.