KATHMANDU, July 23: The search operation for the missing buses and passengers in the Simaltal landslide has been accelerated, even today, the 12th day since the tragic incident.

Two buses and around 65 passengers went missing when a landslide at Simaltal along the Narayanghat-Mugling road section in Bharatpur Metropolitan City-29 swept the buses into the Trishuli River below.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) shared that a 12-member squad of the Indian National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) arrived in Nepal to help search for the missing.

According to NDRRMA Spokesperson, Dr. Dijan Bhattarai, the search for the missing has been underway since Sunday morning after a joint meeting of the District Security Committee and the Indian Technical Team, led by the Chief District Officer of Chitwan, was held on Saturday.

The joint team conducted a search along approximately 16 kilometers from Ghumane to Devghat until this evening.

In a press release issued today, the NDRRMA thanked the Indian government for providing support in the search operation by sending skilled technicians during this disaster.

Of the missing passengers, 25 bodies have been found so far. Of these, two were recovered from across the border in India. The identities of 18 deceased have been ascertained, and the bodies have been handed over to their families. Among the identified bodies, 13 were Nepalis, and 5 were Indian nationals, added the NDRRMA.