Bus remains missing four days after plunging into Karnali river

Rescue efforts continue four days after a bus plunged into the Karnali river in Nepal's Dailekh district, with search teams yet to locate the vehicle. The Nepali Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force are facing significant challenges due to the river's strong current and muddy water.

Specialized water-rescue teams, a helicopter, and drones are being deployed to aid the search. The bus was traveling from Surkhet to Raskot in Kalikot when it veered off the road and fell hundreds of meters into the river. As of Sunday, neither the vehicle nor the exact number of passengers on board had been confirmed.

“

We have not located the vehicle yet, and we are still unable to confirm how many people were travelling in it. The chiefs of all security agencies are leading their respective teams at different points along the Karnali River.

Deputy Inspector General Jayaraj Sapkota of the Karnali Province Police Office stated that the river's heavy flow and poor visibility have made the operation difficult. Despite continuous searches downstream, no trace of the vehicle has been found. "We have not located the vehicle yet, and we are still unable to confirm how many people were travelling in it," Sapkota said.

While transport company records indicate only five ticketed passengers, police suspect additional passengers may have boarded. One body has been recovered near the accident site, but the whereabouts of others remain unknown. A total of 176 personnel from the three security agencies are involved in the operation, with the army utilizing helicopters and drones for aerial surveillance. Officials plan to intensify the search once the river flow subsides.

“

The muddy water, strong current and lack of advanced underwater search equipment have made the operation challenging.