Rautahat, August 27

Family members of the five youths from Rautahat who have been missing since the bus plunge on Friday into the Trishuli river in Chitwan district, are distraught after their whereabouts are still unknown.

A total of six youths, including one from Sarlahi, are missing after the accident that took place near Kalikhola, on the Narayangadh-Muglin road section, on Friday morning. The data, however, contradicts with the one provided by the Chitwan police, who have put the number of missing persons at just 4.

The missing persons have been identified as, Rambalak Jayasawal, Rabiranjan Yadav and Mukesh Ram,Lalankumar Kalawaar, Dipendra Singh and Raju Singh. Their whereabouts are still not learnt by Saturday evening.

Furthermore, two youths from Mudawalawa died in the tragic accident. Among those dead and missing from Mudawalawa, four were temporary teachers, who were due to sit for the Teachers’ Service Commission’s exam for Lower Secondary Level in Pokhara today.

The accident’s death toll stands at 22 for the time being  while 16 are known have sustained injuries.

Of the dead bodies identified, 19 including five of Indian nationals, were brought to Rautahat today. According to District Police Office, Rautahat, DSP Nabinkrishna Bhandari, kin of the deceased have received the dead bodies to carry out the final rites.

Meanwhile, following the death of teachers from Rautahat in the tragic accident, Nepal Teachers’ Federation Rautahat chapter has said it will mourn the death of the teaching staff at schools across the district tomorrow.

Marketplaces including Gaur of the district were shut for four hours today from 1:00 pm to mourn the loss of lives in the accident. The Rautahat locals, pertaining to the accident, have sought 1 million rupees in reparation to the families of the deceased accident victims as well as free treatment to the injured.