The ongoing search and rescue operation for two buses swept away by the Trishuli River in Simaltal has suffered a setback with the loss of a crucial piece of equipment. A 19kg magnet, vital to the underwater search, was washed away by the river on Saturday.
The magnet was being used by a joint team of Nepali and Indian rescue workers to locate the buses and any potential survivors. Despite continued efforts, the whereabouts of the buses and passengers remain unknown.
Armed Police Force spokesperson Janak Puri confirmed the loss of the magnet and said the search for both the equipment and the missing individuals is ongoing. A smaller 14kg magnet is now being used in the operation.
The search and rescue mission, involving a 12-member Indian National Disaster Response Force team and Nepali divers, has been underway since last Sunday. The challenging river conditions and the vast search area have hampered recovery efforts.
