POKHARA, Sept 9: At least two people died and six others have been missing after a boat ferrying ten passengers capsized at Libdi Tunda side of Begnas Lake in Kaski district on Saturday. Two people have been rescued while the fate of others is not known as of late Saturday.
Most of the passengers were women crossing the lake to celebrate Teej festival at their relatives’ home. Some of them were accompanied by their children, who are also among the missing.
The two deceased women have been identified as Bishnu Kumari Kandel (Bajgain), 51, of Pokhara Metropolis-28, and Jamuna Kandel (Gaire), 40, of Tanahun, according to District Police Office (DPO), Kaski.
Boating in Begnas Lake? Beware!
“Initially, they were rescued and taken to Lekhnath-based Lions Community Hospital for treatment. However, both of them died during the course of treatment,” said Rabindra Man Gurung, spokesperson for the DPO.
The six missing have been identified as five-year-old Prachin Paudel, seven-year-old Shankar Khanal, eight-year-old Shiva Khanal, four-year-old Ranjeet Gaire, Ravi Khanal, 32, and Manisha Bajgain, 17.
The two people rescued are Sapana Khanal, 28, and Nisha Paudel, police informed. Their health condition is normal. Search and rescue operation for the missing is ongoing.
The incident occurred after five-year-old Prachin fell into the lake from the boat.
His mother Nisha immediately jumped into the lake to rescue him, prompting the boat to lose its balance. The off-balance boat capsized as a result, throwing everyone into the lake.
Locals quickly united to rescue the passengers. They managed to quickly rescue Nisha and Sapana because the duo was able to swim toward them. Armed Police Force, Nepal Police and Nepal Army quickly joined the locals in the rescue operation.
Life jacket is mandatory for those who cross the lake via commercial boat. However, it is suspected that they used personal boat, enabling them to bypass the life-jacket rule.
