Three boys went missing while swimming in the Danav River at Ardauli in ward 2 of Lumbini Sanskritik Municipality, Rupandehi, on Monday afternoon.

According to the District Police Office, Rupandehi, the missing boys have been identified as Umesh Yadav, 13, Rajan Yadav, 14, and Mannu Harijan, 12. The incident occurred at around 1pm.

Bijesh Yadav, 13, who was present at the scene, informed locals after the boys disappeared while swimming.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Suraj Karki said search operations are underway involving police and local residents. The teams include three personnel led by Assistant Police Inspector Kamal Subedi from the Sukhrauliama Police Post, seven personnel under the leadership of Police Inspector Dipak Magarathi from the Lumbini Area Police Office, and a 10-member team led by Armed Police Force Inspector Ram Kumar Ghimire from Bairghat.