NARUWA (Sunsari), Sept. 18: The search for those passengers who had gone missing in a boat capsize in the Saptakoshi River on Saturday, has begun since today morning, Sunsari police said. 

A joint team of police, Armed Police Force and Nepal Army has been mobilized for the search, said Chief District Officer Mohan Chapagain. 

More than 15 passengers are reported to have gone missing while at least 37 were rescued safe, local people said. Police however claimed that at least ten might have gone missing in the accident. According to the rescued villagers, 4 minors, 5 women and a boat contractor are missing. Those missing are identified as Rekha, the daughter of Golcha Jha of Mahendranagar-4, Meena Jha, 25 and her daughter Pooja , 3, Parbati Chandrabansi, 45, Sakuntala Chandrabansi, 40, Sita Kabirath, 30 of Prakashpur, the 12 years old daughter of Goltu Chandrabansi, Tanamdevi Yadav, 55 and the 15 years old daughter of Patawari Urawa of Mahendranagar -4.

According to DSP Binod Ghimire of District Police Office, Sunsari, the accident occurred while the villagers were crossing the river in the boat from Sri Lanka Tapu  to Prakashpur VDC-5 of Sunsari district. 

Sri Lanka Tapu of Sunsari district is a small village which is two kilometers west of the eastern section of the Koshi River. 

The villagers have to use boat to cross the section of the river to come to Prakashpur VDC of the district.

 
• inaruwa
 
• sunsari
 
• saptakoshi river
 
• search
 
• begins