The deceased have been identified as Milan Basnet, 17, Srijana Karki, 22, Raj Kumar Thapa, 21 and Shyam Kunwar. Six persons were instantly rescued by other members of the wedding party. [break]
“Those who survived the incident were fortunate as they could swim,” said DSP Sanat Kharel, chief of Metropolitan Police Circle, Chapagaon.
The two boats carrying five persons each hit each other a few minutes after they started rowing at 3:30 PM. “The incident would not have occurred had the boats been rowed by professional boaters,” said Kharel.
A rescue team of Armed Police Force (APF) together with wedding attendants and locals recovered the bodies later.
A local committee has been operating the boating facility in the pond for a few years now. The pond located in the southern outskirts of the capital is known for its mythological and historical importance.
Casualties occurred as the water level in the pond had gone up due to incessant rainfall over the past few days.
Meanwhile, the families of victims and the members of the pond management committee have been holding dialogues in the presence of police over the incident and possible compensation to the former. “I am mediating the dialogue,” said Kharel.
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