GAIGHAT, July 14

At least two persons have gone missing after a boat capsized in Saptakoshi River in Sunsari today morning.

Thirteen persons were rescued when the boat capsized at around 11:00am. The missing are: Pawan Chandrabansi, 25, and Anita Chandrabansi, 35, of Prakashpur VDC-4 of the district, said Bhagalpur Police Post Assistant Sub-inspector Jhal Bahadur Rai.

They have launched a search operation for the missing.

According to Rai, the boat was heading to collect driftwood carried out by the Koshi River, when it capsized due to excessive water flow. Nepal Police and Nepali Army personnel from Koshi Tappu Wild Life Reserve have been deployed for the search operation.

Though the local administration had banned operation of the boat from mid-June to mid-August fearing floods, the locals used the boat to collect driftwood.