Five children drowned in a branch of the Padma river in Char Chakla village of Debinagar union under Chapainawabganj Sadar upazila this noon.

The deceased were sisters Sumaiya, 11, and Suraiya, 10, daughters of Nizamuddin; sisters Sumaiya, 10, and Ariba, 8, daughters of Masud Ali; and Sharifa, 8, daughter of Shariful Islam. All were residents of Char Chakla village.

Officer-in-Charge of Chapainawabganj Sadar Police Station Ekramul Haque confirmed the incident.

He said the children went to bathe in the river around 1:00pm.

The OC said the water level in the branch river was also high because of the current rise in the Padma. The branch usually remains dry at other times of the year.

The five children drowned after entering the water, he added.

Locals recovered their bodies shortly afterwards. Upon receiving the news, a police team went to the scene.

River Police are carrying out the necessary legal procedures, the OC said.