Key Takeaways:

• 14 women from Bhimdatta Municipality went missing Sunday morning.
• Security agencies launched overnight search after no contact by 9 pm.
• Earlier, three women from Beldandi were rescued by Nepal Army.
• Authorities warn against entering protected areas without permission.

KATHMANDU, JULY 20 All 17 women who went missing after entering Shuklaphanta National Park in Kanchanpur to collect wild mushrooms have been found safe following an overnight search operation involving security agencies and local residents. According to Nepal Police, the women from Bhimdatta Municipality-19, Bagphanta, entered the national park at around 11:00 am on Sunday. When they failed to return or establish contact by night, authorities launched a search operation. Earlier on Monday morning, a Nepal Army team rescued three women from the group from inside the park and handed them over to their families. Search efforts then continued for the remaining 14 women. A joint team of Nepal Police, the Nepal Army and local volunteers carried out an extensive overnight search inside the national park. The remaining 14 women re-established contact at around 1:10 pm on Monday and were confirmed safe, police said. The disappearance of the group had prompted a large-scale search operation across the protected area. Authorities have urged the public not to enter national parks and protected forests without permission, particularly during the monsoon season when dense vegetation and adverse weather increase the risk of getting lost.