Rescuers recovered the first body from two buses that fell into a raging river in Nepal

In a tragic incident in central Nepal, a landslide swept two passenger buses carrying over 50 people into a swollen river early Friday morning. Despite the continuous rain and challenging conditions, three survivors managed to swim to safety. However, rescue teams had not located any trace of the buses by late morning, with fears that they had been submerged and carried downstream in the Trishuli River. The buses were on a vital highway connecting the capital to southern Nepal when the disaster occurred near Simaltal, approximately 120 kilometers west of Kathmandu. The region has been plagued by further landslides, resulting in the deaths of 17 individuals and injuries to three others in various districts within the past 24 hours. The difficult terrain and ongoing inclement weather have hindered rescue efforts, with more landslides blocking access routes to the affected area. Authorities, including police, army personnel, and divers equipped with scuba gear, are actively engaged in search and rescue operations. The survivors, who were treated at a local hospital, reportedly escaped by jumping out of the bus and swimming to safety. Nepal's Prime Minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, expressed sorrow over the tragic events and highlighted the government's multi-agency efforts to locate the missing individuals. The recent flooding and landslides have prompted the government to impose a ban on nighttime travel for passenger buses in areas under weather advisories. The monsoon season, which lasts from June to September, brings heavy rains to Nepal, often triggering landslides in the mountainous Himalayan region. The Prime Minister's statement on social media underscored the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for coordinated rescue operations to address the aftermath of the natural disasters.