2 men arrested for stealing earrings from flood victims' bodies in Nepal

Two men have been arrested in Nepal on charges of stealing earrings from the bodies of flood victims in the Himalayan border region between Nepal and China.

Local media outlet Khabarhub and India's NDTV reported that police in the Chitwan district of central Nepal arrested the two men — aged 25 and 38 — on theft charges Thursday.

The pair are accused of stealing earrings from victims' bodies that had been swept downstream from the Trishuli River into the Narayani River during the flash floods Wednesday.

Video footage circulated on social media showing the two men using a wooden plank and the victims' hair to pull bodies from the water before removing earrings from both ears.

Several bystanders were present and filmed the incident. Police identified the suspects using the footage and apprehended them in the Bharatpur area, where they remain under investigation on possible additional charges.

Local police have stepped up surveillance operations amid concerns that such incidents cause even greater suffering to the families of victims.

Authorities also urged citizens to immediately report any information or evidence of looting, theft or other inhumane acts during the disaster.

A police official said authorities would not tolerate any looting or inhumane acts targeting victims and survivors during a disaster, adding that police would launch immediate investigations and bring those responsible to justice.