Belthangady: Three young men drowned while bathing in a river near Barkaje Dam in Venur on Wednesday evening.

The victims have been identified as Lawrence (20) from Yedapadavu, Moodbidri Taluk; Suraj (19) from Parenki, Belthangady Taluk, and Jason (19) from Vogga, Bantwal Taluk.

The trio had reportedly come to attend an event at the house of a local resident, Walter, in Moodukodi village. After lunch on November 27, they went to the Barkaje Dam for a swim, where they were caught in a strong current and tragically drowned.

The bodies were later recovered from the river. All three were nursing students from a college in Mangaluru.

Venur police visited the scene and are investigating the incident. Further details are awaited.