Those killed in the incident have been identified as Kalawati Bhatta, 33 and Umanga Joshi, 2. Joshi's mother Punam went missing after the incident.
According to DSP Nainsingh Karki, Harish Bhatta, 14, could be saved. "But we could not save the other two," said Karki.
When the passengers on the tube were losing balance, Indian police on the border had come for their rescue. They rescued Kalawati, but she breathed her last while being rushed to hospital.
"It is not yet known how many people were travelling on the tube. They accident might have taken place due to overload," said Karki.
A local Ramesh Awasthi claimed there were many people on the tube. "A tube can carry up to three people. But I saw as many as six people crossing the river on a single tube," he said.
In lack of suspension bridges in many places in the region, dozens of people lose life to such accidents every year. "Mahakali River has swallowed many people. But people here have no choice as they need to cross the river to reach nearby markets," said Awasthi.
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