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Five drowned, four missing bathing in stream
View(s):At least five people were drowned and four others reported missing while bathing in a stream at Laggala in Matale last evening, police said.
Police rescue teams were rushed to the area for search operations amidst heavy rains, but were called off around 6 p.m.. The navy has also dispatched a team which is due to reach the area this morning.
Rasika Ekanayake, an official from the Laggala Divisional Secretariat who visited scene of the incident told the Sunday Times that two bodies of children and three bodies of adults were retrieved.
He said the rest had been washed downstream and therefore search efforts were continuing there.
He said the victims were bathing near Weddapani Ella, an area known for strong currents that could have swept them away from the bank.
The family from Nattandiya were visiting the area to inspect a block of land purchased recently located near the stream.