Four persons have been found dead and eighteen others have gone missing after a boat capsized on Saturday evening (March 1, 2014) at Mohanaghat of Lalbojhi VDC-4 in Kailali district.

NepalNews reported that according to eye witnesses, the boat was carrying passengers returning after shopping at Tikuniya Beluwa, an Indian area.

The deceased have been identified as Phoolmati Kathariya, 45, of Lalbojhi VDC-4, eight-year-old Sandeep Kathariya of Lalbojhi VDC-3. The name of a woman victim with the surname Helauna has to be ascertained yet, according to the Area Police Office, Bhajani.

Locals have been carrying out a search for the missing passengers from Saturday evening while Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force, Bhajani and the Indian Border Security Force have started rescue operation at the banks of the Mohana river from this morning.

People of south border of Kailali district are compelled to make risky travel to the Indian border towns across the river even during rainy season every year in absence of a bridge.