A teenage boy taking part in the final rites of his neighbour drowned in a river in Shivanath Rural Municipality, Baitadi district, on Tuesday.

The deceased has been identified as Mahesh Saud (17() of Shivanath-1.

Saud was swept away by the river while he was taking bath in the Mahakali River at around 11:30 am yesterday, according to Spokesperson for Baitadi District Police Office, Inspector Darshan Khadka. He said Saud had gone to the river to take a bath while participating in the final rites of Ghan Bahadur Saud (60).

Saud’s body was found later down the river after searching nearly for five hours.

A rescue team from Armed Police Force recovered the body.