Two people died and six children were injured after being buried by a mudslide while digging soil near the historic Ishara Pond in Simraungadh Municipality-6 of Bara district on Friday.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Bijay Raj Pandit informed that the deceased have been identified as 70-year-old Sharadadevi Mahato of Sano Itwal Tole in Ward 6, and 15-year-old Sunil Mahato of Ward 5, Simraungadh Municipality.

They were rescued in critical condition and were being taken to Kalaiya for treatment but died on the way, police said. The other injured victims are receiving treatment at local hospitals in Simraungadh and Kalaiya.

Locals, police, and Armed Police Force personnel jointly carried out the rescue operation.

Authorities said people in the Tarai plains have been digging soil from both public and private land to plaster and decorate their earthen houses ahead of the Deepawali and Chhath festivals — a seasonal activity that often leads to such accidents.