KHANDBARI: The identification of 11 people missing in a landslide at Besinda village in Silichong Rural Municipality-1 of Sankhuwasabha district on Sunday morning has been ascertained.

According to DSP Nawaraj Malla, whereabouts of Ramman Rai, Hasti Kumari Rai, Angela Rai, Namrata Rai, Gorimaya Rai, Prakriti Rai, Juddha Bahadur Rai, Uttar Kumari Rai, Naramaya Rai, Harkadhan Rai and Ait Maya Rai is still unknown.

Local Hastaman Rai said that Gowasingh Rai, Bhimsari Rai, Phulmaya Rai and Bhim Bahadur Rai buried by the mudslide have been rescued alive by villagers.

The law enforcement agency said that the landslide triggered by a heavy downpour swept away eight houses causing the fatalities.

DSP Malla said that it would take time for the police to reach the spot as the incident site is remote and has no road access.

A separate team of the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police from the district headquarters Khandbari has already set out for the site and it will take at least 12 hours for the teams to reach the destination.

Further details surrounding the incident are awaited. According to Khandbari-based NA Company, a NA helicopter has been standby at Itahari to take off to the site once the weather becomes clear.

The incident site lies in a one-day walk from Khandbari. The site is not accessible by motor vehicle.