Bank Safe Swept Away By Nepal Floods, 29 Detained Over Alleged Looting

A bank safe swept away by devastating floods in Nepal has become the centre of a criminal investigation after it was allegedly broken open and its contents taken. The safe was reportedly carried away by floodwaters from the Bhotekoshi area of Rasuwa before being found along the Trishuli River near Belkhukhola in Galchhi Rural Municipality-4, Dhading. Police detained 29 people after receiving information that locals had opened the safe and removed cash.

A police team was sent to the location after authorities received information about the incident and began an investigation. During preliminary searches, police recovered 92,68,505 Nepalese rupees, equivalent to around Rs 57 lakh, from the possession of the detained individuals. Most of those detained are residents of Mastar in Galchhi-4, while others are from Adamghat in Galchhi-6 and Adamtar in Siddhalek-7.

The detained people are between 19 and 49 years old. Some reportedly originally belong to Chitwan and Parsa but are currently residing in Dhading. Police are investigating the source of the recovered money and examining whether more people may have been involved in the alleged theft. The investigation is continuing as authorities work to establish how the safe was opened and whether any cash remains unaccounted for.

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The incident comes amid reports of other alleged crimes involving victims of the devastating floods. In a separate case, two people were arrested over allegations that they stole gold earrings from the body of a woman swept downstream in the Narayani River. Authorities acted after footage reportedly showed the men removing what appeared to be gold earrings from the body.

Meanwhile, Nepal’s disaster authorities have sharply revised the scale of the flood disaster. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority reported that 2,426 people were missing as of Saturday, while the confirmed death toll had risen to 626. The number of missing Nepalis increased from 1,924 reported on Friday night, while 517 foreign nationals remained unaccounted for.

The revised figures came three days after devastating floods swept through parts of Nepal, leaving widespread destruction and disrupting communities. Search and rescue operations remain underway across affected areas, with authorities continuing to trace missing people and assess the impact of the disaster. The investigation into the recovered bank safe is also continuing as police examine the circumstances surrounding the cash and identify any additional suspects.

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