7 Indians among 62 people missing in Nepal landslide

Kathmandu: At least seven Indian nationals are among over 60 passengers who are believed to be missing after two buses were swept away by a landslide and pushed into a swollen river in central Nepal last week, officials said. The two buses carrying 65 passengers went missing in the Trishuli River in landslides at Simaltal area, 120 km west of Kathmandu, along the Narayanghat Mugling road in Chitwan district, myRepublica reported.
Chief district officer of Chitwan, Indradev Yadav, said Kathmandu-bound Angel bus and Ganpati Deluxe, en route to Gaur from the capital, met with the accident at around 3.30am. Twenty-four people were onboard the bus travelling to Kathmandu and 41 on the bus travelling to Gaur, police said. Three of the passengers on Ganpati Deluxe escaped after jumping out of the vehicle, Kathmandu Post reported.
A third bus was hit by another landslide on the same highway. Govt administrator Khima Nanada Bhusal said the driver was killed but it was not clear if there were any other casualties.
Home minister Rabi Lamichhane told parliament that over 500 personnel have been assigned to the search operation. Elsewhere, 17 people died and three more injured due to landslides in the past 24 hours, he said. Six of the Indians were identified as Santosh Thakur, Surendra Sah, Adit Miyaan, Sunil, Shahnawaj Alam and Ansari. PM Dahal said he was saddened by the news and expressed concern over recent flooding and landslides.