Death toll in Koshi boat tragedy reaches 6

Three more bodies of persons who went missing after an overcrowded boat overturned in Koshi River yesterday have been found near the Indian border, taking the death toll in the tragedy to 6.

The bodies were pulled from the river by a police team that reached the place upon being informed about floating bodies by locals.

Unidentified bodies of 2 males and a woman were recovered from Koshi River, about 250 miles southeast of Kathmandu, yesterday.

The boat which was carrying around 25 passengers had capsized after hitting a floating log at around 8 am Sunday. The boat was carrying mostly women and children.

Sixteen people survived the tragedy. Reports quoted eyewitnesses as saying that nine people swam to safety while, locals and police rescue teams helped another seven.

Five passengers are still missing. They have been identified as Jivan Rai, Mana Kumar Tamang, Nim Bahadur Tamang - all residents of Okhaldhunga district - Umesh Karki of Bhojpur district and Hari Pulami of Kakarbhitta.

Reports said Rescue teams from Nepal Police, Nepal Army, Armed Police Force have all but given up search for missing persons and are now concentrating on locating the bodies.

Meanwhile, the Sunsari District Administration Office has issued strict guidelines for the boat operating in the Koshi River.

This time onwards boats and ferries will only be allowed to operate from 10 am to 5 pm, licenses of the boats carrying people beyond its capacity will be cancelled and small boats will be banned from ferrying people across the river.

Passengers traveling to eastern Nepal districts are compelled to cross the Koshi River on dingy, poorly maintained boat as many roads and bridges in the area were damaged by flooding during the monsoon season. nepalnews.com ag Jan 05 08

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