Indian team that helped in search and rescue works in Simlatal twin bus mishap returns

The Indian team that reached Nepal to help search for the two buses and passengers swept away by a landslide into the Trishuli River in Chitwan returned home on Sunday.

The 12 member Indian National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), that was in Nepal for a week, returned to India after providing necessary help in the search operation, Armed Police Force (APF), Nepal said in a statement.

Since last Sunday, the Indian team had been collaborating with the APF- Nepal and the Nepali Army in search and rescue works. Despite hard efforts, the missing buses could not be located yet, though 25 bodies including six of those belonging to Indians have been recovered from the site.

“During the Security Committee meeting, we expressed our gratitude to the Indian team for their thorough review of the progress, methods, techniques and future possibilities that can be used during their mission. Their contribution to our disaster management and search and rescue operations remained invaluable,” remarked Chief District Officer of Chitwan, Indradev Yadav.

Equipped with sonar cameras and magnets, they conducted search and rescue operations in the Trishuli and Narayani rivers. Notably, even a 19 kg magnet brought by the NDRF was swept away by the Trishuli River.

On July 12, two buses were swept away by a landslide and fell into the Trishuli River at Simaltal on the Narayanghat-Mugling road. Out of the total 65 passengers, three managed to swim to safety, while at least 62 were missing. To date, the buses remain missing, though 25 bodies have been recovered from the Narayani River. However, only 18 bodies including 6 belonging to Indian nationals could be identified. Seven Indian passengers who were heading to Kathmandu from Gaur, went missing in the incident. Five bodies of the Indian nationals were handed to their respective kins by the local authorities in Nepal.