In a tragic incident that occurred on Sunday near Halavagala village in Harapanahalli taluk of Vijayanagara district, two young brothers drowned in the Tungabhadra right before the eyes of their father who somehow managed to save the third son.

The victims have been identified as 19-year-old M.G. Manu and 18-year-old M.G. Prajwal, sons of Halavagala resident Manjappa.

While Manu was in his first year of Engineering, Prajwal was studying PU.

According to sources, the brothers entered the water for a bath and were later washed away in the river current.

The father made an attempt to save his sons who were struggling against the current.

He could, however, manage to save the youngest son, Chiranjeevi, while he watched the other two sons being swept away in the current.

Police and Fire and Emergency Services were notified immediately.

The bodies were retrieved and transported to the Government Hospital.

A case was registered at Halavagala Police Station. The incident has left the family and the local community in a state of shock and grief.

The authorities have cautioned the public against entering the river in areas where water currents are unpredictable.