Mohammad Rubel, 21, was a BA first-year student and Mahmud Hasan Russell, 20, an HSC examinee of Abu Zar Gifari University College in Shantinagar. Both were residents of Khilgaon.

Families said Rubel and Russell were taking a dip in the chest-deep floodwaters in Patira, Badda when they slipped into an underwater ditch at around 5:30pm. Both drowned as they did not know how to swim. They along with 21 others had just finished a boat ride in two trawlers in the submerged area.

Fire Brigade divers retrieved the body of Rubel at 8:45 and Russell at 10:00 last night.

An unnatural death case has been lodged with Badda Police Station.