Nepal ends search for people buried in weekend landslide, declares 156 listed victims as dead

KATMANDU, Nepal – Nepal has ended the search for bodies buried in a massive landslide over the weekend after recovering few of the 156 victims.

Government administrator Gopal Parajuli said Wednesday all 156 people on the official list are being declared dead. Only 33 bodies have been recovered.

Families of those killed would be given 40,000 rupees ($410) as relief.

The landslide Saturday morning crushed dozens of houses in the village of Mankha, about 120 kilometers (75 miles) east of Katmandu.

It also blocked a mountain river, causing it to back up and form a lake that was threatening to burst and sweep away several villages.

The army used explosives to widen the channel where water was flowing out of the lake.