3 dead, over 20 missing as boat capsizes in Rapti River

Three persons drowned and over 20 others went missing when an overcrowded boat capsized in the swollen Rapti River in midwestern Banke district Wednesday afternoon.

The boat carrying some 40 passengers sank into the river near Gobarpur area in Baijapur VDC, reports quoting the police said. The boat was heading for Kachanapur from Baijapur.

Rescuers fished out three dead bodies from the river while search for the missing people is going on. 12 persons saved their lives by swimming ashore.

Two injured passengers have been admitted to Bheri Zonal Hospital for treatment. nepalnews.com mk Sep 05 07