Simaltal bus accident: 40-kg magnet deployed to trace missing buses

CHITWAN, July 27: The search operation for the two buses, which fell into the Trishuli River after being swept away by a landslide in Simaltal, Chitwan, continues for the 16th consecutive day on Saturday.

After Nepali technology alone proved insufficient, a joint team of skilled divers and technicians from Nepal and India has been engaged in continuous searches since Sunday. However, with no significant progress, the Indian National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Nepal Armed Police Force, and the Nepali Army have adjusted their strategy. To aid in locating the missing buses and their passengers, the Indian team has introduced a 40-kilogram magnet.

Chief District Officer of Chitwan, Indradev Yadav, informed Republica that the magnetic device has been in use since 9:30 this morning to aid the search efforts.

A 12-member technical team from the NDRF is also participating in the search. The District Administration Office in Chitwan has reported that 24 bodies have been recovered so far, with 19 identified and returned to their families.

Among the identified bodies, 14 are Nepali citizens. Of the bodies found, 21 are men and four are women, with 16 men and three women identified.

On Friday, July 12, the Angel Deluxe bus (registration number Ba Pra 03-00-006 Kha 1516), traveling from Birgunj to Kathmandu, and the Ganapati Deluxe bus (registration number Ba Pra 03-24-95 Kha 001), traveling from Kathmandu to Gaur, were swept into the Trishuli River by a landslide at Simaltal. They have been missing since then.

Out of the 65 people on the buses, three managed to escape safely, while 62 remain missing. The status of 37 passengers and the two buses is still to be determined.