POKHARA, Sept 8: The death toll in the Begnas boat capsize has climbed to two as one more victim breathed her last while undergoing treatment at the hospital in Kaski District on Saturday afternoon.
The deceased has been identified as Jamuna Kandel (Gaire), 40 of Bhimad, Tanahun. Earlier, The other deceased is 51-year-old Krishna Kumari Kandel (Bajgain) of Pokhara Metropolitan City-28.
According to District Police Office, Kaski, Jamuna and Kandel, who were whisked to Mahoriya-based Lions Community Hospital, died in the course of treatment.
Death toll from Begnas boat capsize reaches eight
Prachin Paudel, 5, Shankar Khanal, 7, Shiva Khanal, 8, and Rabi Khanal, 32, Manisha Bajgain, 17, and Ranjit Gaire are missing in the lake. A total of 10 people were traveling in two boats.
Police said the search operation is underway.
Police said they have rescued Sapana Khanal, 28, and Nisha Paudel alive from the lake as they could swim. Kamal Kandel, who was traveling in a boat alone, had fainted when he saw the boat capsize and fell into the lake. He was also rescued by the police.
According to an eyewitness, when five-year-old Prachin Paudel fell into the lake at Libdi Tunda, his mother Nisha Paudel frantically jumped into the lake to rescue her son. As a result, both the boats lost their balance and capsized in the lake.
According to police, despite having mandatory rules to put on life jackets while on boats, the victims were not putting on life jackets.
Photo by Pradip Paudel