Kathmandu: Nepal Police on Thursday, August 27, arrested two males accused of stealing gold earrings from the physique of a flood sufferer, a day after catastrophic flash floods and landslides alongside the Bhotekoshi river killed a minimum of 359 folks and left a whole lot extra lacking.
In accordance with a press launch issued by the District Police Workplace in Bharatpur, Chitwan, officers obtained a video displaying the alleged theft from a physique that had been swept in by the flooding on Wednesday, August 26. The footage confirmed the lads utilizing an extended pole to method the physique earlier than allegedly eradicating a gold earring from the deceased’s ear.
Performing on the video, police recognized and detained Madan Gurung, 25, initially from Nawalparasi district and now residing in Bharatpur’s Ward No 1, and Umesh Chaudhary, 38, initially from Sunsari district and residing close to Pokhara Bus Park in Bharatpur’s Ward No 2. Each had been taken into custody from close to Pokhara Bus Park in Bharatpur Metropolitan Metropolis, with additional investigation underway, the police assertion mentioned.
Nepal Police additionally launched a brief video combining the unique clip, with the sufferer’s face blurred, alongside photographs of the 2 suspects and particulars of the arrest, describing it as a case of “inhumane” conduct in direction of a catastrophe sufferer.
Nepal experiences one among its deadliest floods
The arrests come amid one among Nepal’s most devastating current disasters. Flash floods struck the Bhotekoshi river in Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts on August 26 after an ice-rock avalanche blocked a tributary stream after which launched a sudden surge downstream, in line with officers and catastrophe researchers.
The loss of life toll in Nepal has since climbed previous 350, with greater than 800 folks nonetheless listed as lacking, in line with police figures, together with a whole lot of overseas vacationers caught within the catastrophe. China reported a minimum of three deaths on its aspect of the border.
Rescue and restoration operations have continued for over a day throughout the affected districts, with our bodies and particles carried far downstream by the floodwaters, complicating identification efforts.
Authorities have warned residents to steer clear of the banks of the Bhotekoshi, Trishuli and Narayani rivers as water ranges stay unstable.
Video sparks outrage
The video of the alleged theft triggered widespread outrage on social media after it started circulating, with many customers condemning the act as disrespectful to an individual killed within the catastrophe and calling for strict punishment. Police mentioned the case stays below investigation, and the 2 males haven’t but been formally charged.
