KATHMANDU: A team of Indian rescuers has arrived in Nepal to assist in searching for those missing after the Simaltal bus accident.
Over a week ago, two buses plunged into the Trishuli River from Simaltal along the Narayangadh-Muglin road after being swept away by a landslide.
The search for the missing passengers continues with untiring efforts from the security agencies.
Anil Pokhrel, Executive Chief of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, informed that a 12-member squad from the Indian National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) arrived in Nepal to help locate the missing individuals since the Simaltal tragedy.
The Indian squad entered Nepal via the Sunauli border point this morning and is heading to the disaster site.
They are equipped with necessary implements for underwater search and rescue, including three ultramodern sonar equipment.
The Indian team is collaborating with the Armed Police Force to reach the site.
Executive Chief Pokhrel shared with RSS that due to limited resources in Nepal, the government sought foreign assistance.
The Home Ministry requested help from India via the Foreign Ministry.
Dr. Bhishma Kumar Bhusal, Chief of the Disaster and Conflict Management Division at the Home Ministry, stated that the Indian government was asked for assistance on July 15.
The Indian team arrived in response to this request.
On July 12, the Trishuli River swallowed two buses swept into it by the landslide at Simaltal.
The ill-fated passenger buses were: Angel Bus heading to Kathmandu from Birgunj (Bagmati Province 03-006 Kha 1516), and Ganapati Deluxe bus en route to Gaur, Rauthat from Kathmandu (Bagmati Province 03-2495 Kha 001).
Among the 65 passengers on the two buses, three survived, while 62 went missing.
So far, the bodies of 23 passengers have been recovered.
A task force formed by the Home Ministry is studying the tragic incident.
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