Karnal, Aug. 30 -- Two brothers taking a dip in the Yamuna were swept away by the strong current near Bega Ghat in Sonepat on Saturday, officials said. A team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other divers made efforts but could not trace Satyam, 15, and Shivam, 17, both residents of Sankhera village. Shivam was a Class 11 student, while Satyam studied in Class 10 at a government school in their village.

The missing boys' friend, Prince, who was with them, tried to save both but was nearly drowned before a group of men near the river rescued him. Their families said the boys had left home saying they were going to learn how to ride a bike.

According to Prince, the victims told him that they knew swimming. Their father...