Latest reports say the number of children killed when a tempo (three-wheeler vehicle) they were traveling in fell into Chatara canal in the eastern district of Sunsari Tuesday morning has reached thirteen.
According to Police, 13 bodies of school children have been recovered from the canal so far. Seven children had been rescued by local people after the accident. One injured child has been undergoing treatment at a local hospital.
Over 20 children—most of them below ten years of age—were on their way to Moondrops Boarding school at Jhumka when the accident took place.
Police said an investigation is underway.
A journalist on the scene said parents of the school children were arriving on the site and that a heart-rending scenario had emerged as they were unable to come to terms that their beloved ones were no more with them.