PHIDIM: The Ilam District Police Office identified three of the five victims of the boat capsize incident in Maikhola River of the district.

The DPO Chief SP Sushil Yadav said Dambar Maya Magar (53) and Jas Bahadur Rai (65) from Mahamai-1 and Pabitra Dhamala of Mahamai-2 died in the accident.

Two other victims are yet to be identifed.

(Updated)

5 killed, several missing in Ilam boat capsize

PHIDIM: At least five* persons died in a boat capsize incident in the Maikhola River of Ilam district on Friday afternoon, the District Police Office said.

Police rescued 33 persons alive while nearly a dozen persons are still missing, chief of the DPO, SP Sushil Yadav told THT Online.

The boat carrying over 45 passengers had left local Danabari for Mahamai across the mighty river at around 1 pm today.

Locals said the ill-fated boat had overturned after it could not bear the overload. The boat had a capacity of 15 persons.

The victims are yet to be identified. SP Yadav said two of them are men, two women and a boy.

"Police personnel from the District Police Office and nearby police stations have been mobilised for the rescue operation," Yadav informed.

He warned that the death toll may rise.

Updated

*Earlier, police had told reporters that eight bodies were recovered. The DPO, however, corrected the death toll and confirmed recovery of only five bodies.