KATHMANDU: Three children have gone missing while swimming in the Danav River at Ardauli, located in Lumbini Cultural Municipality-2 of Rupandehi district.

According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Shailendra Thapa, who also serves as the joint spokesperson for the Armed Police Force (APF), a search operation was launched on Monday afternoon after the children were reported missing.

A team of security personnel trained in disaster response was immediately deployed from the APF Nepal Border Outpost in Bayarghat.

The missing children have been identified as Umesh Yadav (13), Raj Yadav (14), and Munu Harijan (12), all residents of the same locality. Authorities said the trio disappeared around 12:30 PM while swimming in the river.

An APF team led by an Armed Police Inspector is currently carrying out search efforts at the site. Further updates are awaited as the rescue operation continues.