At least 15 persons have been reported missing when a boat they were traveling in capsized at Lalbakaiya river in the southern district of Rautahat Sunday afternoon.

According to local authorities, at least forty people were on-board in the ill-fated boat. Local people, however, said the number of people in the boat could be as high as sixty. Those missing include women and children.

The mishap—that took place due to fresh flood in the river—occurred at ward no. 7 of Gaur municipality. Most of the people traveling in the boat were from Tikuliya tole of the municipality who were returning to their houses for lunch after working in their farmland.

The authorities said a search operation was underway. Details are still awaited.