Indian team begins search operation in Simaltal

By Shaligram Nepal,Chitwan, July 21: The Indian team, which arrived in Chitwan to search for the missing bus and passengers in the Trishuli River, started their work on Saturday.

Chief District Officer, Indradev Yadav bid farewell to the team, which included four divers with advanced equipment, after briefing them on the incident. 

The 11-member team arrived in Bharatpur in the afternoon, having travelled via Bhairahawa.

The team is scheduled to stay for seven days and will conduct search operations from the accident site to the Trishuli-Narayani River. 

According to Yadav, the team brought technology capable of seeing up to 30 metres in muddy water. Alongside the Indian team, the Nepali Army and Armed Police Force will continue the search operations. The team has already reached the accident site and started their work.

Yadav expressed confidence that the advanced technology and experienced personnel would aid in locating the missing. “If nothing is found within seven days and the Nepal government requests further assistance, the team's stay may be extended,” he added. 

Two buses fell into the Trishuli River following a landslide at Simaltal on the Mugling-Narayanghat road section on July 12. Among the 65 passengers in the two buses, three survived by swimming to safety. 

So far, the bodies of 25 passengers have been recovered, while 37 remain missing. The buses, Angel Deluxe travelling from Birgunj to Kathmandu and Ganapati Deluxe travelling from Kathmandu to Gaur in Rautahat, were swept into the Trishuli River by the landslide.