COLOMBO, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan rescue workers recovered the bodies of eight people swept away on Thursday in a river in the North Western Province, police said on Friday.
Earlier, six bodies, including two females and four males, were recovered from a group of individuals who were reportedly swept away. Police also noted two survivors were found earlier and were rushed to a regional hospital for treatment.
According to police, a total of 15 people were involved in the incident. The group were reported to be bathing in the nearby Deduru Oya river when the incident occurred.
Drowning is common in Sri Lanka. According to police statistics, 595 people died from drowning in 2024, while 376 deaths were reported in 2025. ■
