It is suspected that scores of people, including some foreigners, visiting Tatopani and around 25 vehicles were buried in landslides triggered by Saturday’s massive earthquake. According to witnesses, scores of people were buried at Miteripul, Chaku, Jhyalebhir, Nayapur, Daklang Paharo and Jhirpu.

“Ten to fifteen people working at caterings and restaurants in Khasa were buried by landslide at Chaku,” said Shyam Shrestha, who witnessed the tragedy. Some buses, private vehicles and motorcycles were also buried in the area.

“We cannot guess how many people were buried to death here,” said Kumar Shrestha, a local resident. The rescue work is quite difficult as the landslides have not stopped yet.

Some people who were returning on foot are also suspected to have been buried in landslides caused by Sunday’s aftershock measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale. Three bulldozers are mobilised in the area to resume transportation.