Nepal Flash Floods: 2 Arrested After Viral Video Shows Gold Earrings Removed From Victim’s Body
Two men have been arrested after a viral video allegedly showed them removing gold earrings from the body of a flood victim swept downstream into the Narayani River. Chitwan Police identified the suspects from the footage and arrested them near Pokhara Bus Park in Bharatpur. Both have been taken into custody as the investigation continues.
Two men have been arrested in Nepal after a video purportedly showing gold earrings being removed from the body of a flood victim went viral on social media, according to Nepal Police. Police identified the suspects from the video and arrested them near Pokhara Bus Park in Bharatpur on Thursday.
The body had reportedly been swept downstream into the Narayani River following the devastating floods triggered by a landslide in Tibet on Wednesday, August 26. Police launched an investigation after the video surfaced and subsequently traced the two men allegedly seen removing jewellery from the deceased person's body. Nepal Flash Floods: Video Shows Rescued Twins Comforted by Army Personnel as Death Toll Crosses 350.
2 Arrested for Stealing Gold Earrings From Nepal Victim’s Body
मृतकको कानको मुन्द्रा चोरी गर्ने व्यक्तिहरु नियन्त्रणमा लिएको सम्बन्धमा । pic.twitter.com/pnPlnQPn9j
— Nepal Police (@NepalPoliceHQ) August 27, 2026
Viral Video Triggers Police Investigation
The video circulating on social media allegedly shows two men near a body that had been swept away by the floods, with one of them removing gold earrings from the deceased person.
The footage prompted the Police to investigate and verify the identities of those seen in the video. Police subsequently arrested the two suspects near Pokhara Bus Park in Bharatpur. Is Nepal Facing Another Flash Flood Threat? China Warns of Barrier Lake Breach Risk.
Two Suspects Arrested
The arrested men have been identified as 25-year-old Madan Gurung and 38-year-old Umesh Chaudhary, according to Chitwan Police.
Gurung is from Binayi Tribeni Rural Municipality-1 in Nawalparasi and was staying at his maternal uncle's residence in Bharatpur. Chaudhary is from Chandabela Municipality-5 in Sunsari and was residing near Pokhara Bus Park in Bharatpur. Both suspects have been taken to the District Police Office, Chitwan, for further investigation.
Police Warn Against Exploitation Of Disaster Victims
Chitwan Police Chief SP Rameshwar Paudel said looting or other inhumane activities targeting victims and deceased people during a disaster would not be tolerated.
Police have urged the public to report any information or evidence related to theft, looting or similar activities during the ongoing disaster response. The investigation will establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged removal of the jewellery and whether anyone else was involved.
The incident comes as authorities continue to recover and identify bodies swept downstream by the floods. Bodies have been found along the Narayani and Trishuli riverbanks after the Bhotekoshi flooding, while search teams continue operations in affected areas.
The floods have caused widespread destruction across parts of Nepal, with rescue teams continuing to search for missing people and manage the recovery of victims.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 27, 2026 09:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
