KATHMANDU: In response to the tragic incident where two buses were swept into the Trishuli River by a landslide at Simaltal, Bharatpur Metropolitan City-29, the Armed Police Force (APF) has deployed 149 personnel to aid in the search and rescue operation. Led by a Deputy Superintendent of Police from the APF Nepal Disaster Management Training Academy Kurintar, 79 personnel, including 11 divers, have been mobilized for the search efforts.

The APF has strategically positioned its personnel along various points of the Trishuli River to intensify the search for the missing passengers. Teams are stationed at Simaltal, Chunauli, Golaghat, Devghat, and Pulchok areas under the command of designated officers. Despite the challenging conditions of high water volume and murky river conditions, the search operation continues unabated.

In collaboration with the Nepali Army and Nepal Police, the APF is utilizing advanced equipment such as drone cameras and sonar cameras to enhance search capabilities. As of now, five bodies of the missing passengers have been recovered, with three of them identified as Bikas Pariyar (22) from Madi Municipality-1, Ramit Kushar Majhi (19) from Barahathawa Municipality-3, Sarlahi district, and Rishipal Saha (28) from Barginiya Jamuhawa, Sitamadi, Bihar, India.

Chief District Officer Indradev Yadav emphasized the extensive mobilization of security personnel across Simaltal and along the downstream of the Narayani River for the ongoing search operations. The buses, one traveling to Gaur from Kathmandu and the other heading towards Kathmandu from Birgunj, reportedly carried 38 and 27 passengers respectively. Efforts to locate the missing buses and passengers continue diligently, with no trace of the wreckage found thus far.