Two girls went missing while bathing in the Mahakali River near Airi in Bhimdatta Municipality-12, Kanchanpur, on Sunday afternoon.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Sagar Bohara of the District Police Office, Kanchanpur, informed that the missing have been identified as six-year-old Sanbi Pant and seven-year-old Jivika Pant. “They were bathing in the river when they went missing. A search operation is underway,” he said.

Locals said several children were bathing along the riverbank when the two were swept away. Police and residents are searching the river downstream.