Chapainawabganj, May 31 -- grade cousins drowned while bathing in the Pagla River in Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj on Sunday afternoon, police said.

The deceased were identified as Safi, 14, son of Jalal Uddin, and Zubayer, 14, son of Kamal Uddin, residents of the former Lavanga Fudkitola area under Noyalavanga union in the upazila.

According to family members and police, the two boys went to bathe in the river at Bahalabari Ghat along with two other cousins and an uncle around noon.

At one stage, Safi and Zubayer drowned in the river. Sensing the situation, locals immediately launched a search operation and rescued the two before taking them to Shibganj Upazila Health Complex.

However, the on-duty doctor declared them dead upon...