29 Detained in Nepal Over Looting of Flood-Swept Bank Locker

Twenty-nine people have been detained in Nepal for allegedly breaking open a bank locker that was swept away by devastating floods and stealing cash from inside. Indian news outlet NDTV reported the development on Saturday (August 29).

According to the report, the locker was washed away from the Bhotekoshi area of Rasuwa district. It was later found near the Trishuli River in Belkhukhola, under Ward No. 4 of Galchhi Rural Municipality in Dhading.

Police launched an investigation after receiving information that some locals had broken open the locker and taken the cash inside. During the initial search, 29 people were detained and 9,268,505 Nepalese rupees were recovered from them.

Most of those detained are residents of Master area in Galchhi-4. Others are from nearby areas, while some are originally from Chitwan and Parsa but currently live in Dhading. The detainees are aged between 19 and 49. Police are investigating the source of the recovered money and whether others were involved.

Earlier, two people were arrested for allegedly stealing gold earrings from the body of a woman swept away by the Narayani River. They were arrested after a video showing the alleged incident circulated on social media.

Meanwhile, the death toll from the devastating floods in Nepal has risen to 626, while 2,426 people remain missing, according to the latest figures from the country’s disaster authorities. Search and rescue operations are still underway in several areas.