9 die as landslide buries houses in Nepal

KATHMANDU - Nine people including eight members of a family were killed when a landslide buried their two houses at Thukima of Taplejung district in the eastern hills of Nepal on Wednesday night, a police official said Friday.

Three people were still missing and rescue work was going on till late in the evening of Thursday, according to Manoj Sah at Taplejung District Police Office.

The landslide triggered by incessant rain on Wednesday midnight buried Asta Bahadur Siwa, 69, his wife Jayamaya, 60, as well as their four children and grandchildren. It also killed Naian Kala Siwa, 8, daughter of Tej Bahadur Siwa whose family members have gone missing in the mudslide, police said.

The rescue team has so far recovered eight dead bodies including that of Asish Siwa, 5.

Sukamaya Sanwa of Thukima, 4, has sustained critical injuries after she was swept away some 50 meters down by the landslide. The injured are receiving treatment at the local health post.

Local people, armed police and the Nepal army have been carrying out rescue work in the area.