Search intensifies for vehicle missing in Karnali river

Search and rescue teams are intensifying operations in the Karnali river after a microbus plunged off the Karnali Highway in Dailekh district, Nepal, on Thursday. The vehicle, traveling from Surkhet to Raskot, veered off the road around 11:30 am. Despite search efforts continuing into Thursday evening, the microbus remains unaccounted for, prompting an expanded operation on Friday morning involving divers and security personnel.

Authorities have identified one body, Jekhe Tiruwa of Pachal Jharna Rural Municipality-9 in Kalikot, found on a cliff near the river. However, the difficult terrain and the submerged condition of the vehicle are significantly hampering rescue efforts. Nearly 100 police personnel have been deployed, alongside a team of seven divers from the Armed Police Force. The microbus was operated by Bulbule Yatayat Pvt Ltd and had departed Surkhet Bus Park with five confirmed passengers, though additional passengers may have boarded en route.

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Difficult terrain and the submerged condition of the vehicle were hampering rescue efforts.

Armed Police Force Deputy Inspector General Krishna Raj Pathak described the challenging conditions, noting the vehicle likely rolled four to five times before entering the river. Divers are operating with ropes due to the cliff-like terrain, and the depth and strong currents at the site present extreme difficulties. Search operations have been extended downstream for 5 to 6 kilometers, as there is a fear the vehicle may have been swept away. Five mobile phones and one citizenship card have been recovered, aiding in the identification of potential passengers.

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The vehicle appears to have rolled four to five times before entering the river. Divers can only enter the water with ropes due to the cliff-like terrain, and the depth and flow at the site are extremely challenging.