Over 60 Missing in Nepal After Landslide Sweeps Buses Into River

Rescuers are urgently searching for more than 60 people missing in Nepal after a massive landslide swept two buses into a river. The terrifying accident occurred in the early hours of Friday, with only three people known to have survived.

One survivor, Nandan Das, shared his harrowing experience, saying he was “thrown out of the window of the bus into the river.” The landslide, triggered by heavy rains, happened at 03:30 local time (21:45 GMT Thursday) along the Narayanghat-Mugling highway in Chitwan, about 100km (60 miles) from the capital, Kathmandu.

Das described the chaos, recounting how the bus suddenly rolled into the river. “I felt like I was going to die,” he said. Despite the darkness, he managed to swim to safety, navigating through “huge boulders and some foliage.” He said, “We were chanting the name of God and swam and swam and swam. God saved us.” He eventually reached the riverbank and climbed the slope to safety.

Another survivor, Jogishwar Raya, described the bus “trembling and overturning four or five times before plunging into the river.” He managed to swim out, but tragically, his family members are still missing. “My son, daughter-in-law, grandson, and granddaughter were on the same bus. Out of five family members, I was alone to survive; the rest vanished,” he said.

Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has called for all government agencies to join the search and rescue operation. The landslide is part of a broader crisis in the region, as Nepal and other parts of South Asia face heavy monsoon rains. These rains have triggered floods and landslides, affecting millions and causing widespread devastation.

The ongoing monsoon season has already claimed many lives, blocked key highways, and swept away bridges. Authorities have urged residents in southeastern Nepal to stay alert as the Koshi river, which flows through Nepal and India, is above the danger level.

Nepal frequently experiences deadly crashes due to poorly maintained roads and reckless driving, adding to the dangers during the monsoon season.