UPDATE: The bodies of two of the four missing persons, swept away while bathing in the Ma Oya at Badalgama, have been recovered, according to police.
Accordingly, the bodies of the missing young male and a young female have been recovered, while search operations are still underway to locate the two other missing young females.
At least four persons are reported missing after being swept away by strong currents while bathing in the Maha Oya at Badalgama this afternoon (19).
Police said that four persons, including three females, are reported missing and are feared drowned while bathing in the Maha Oya.
Police stated that the incident occurred around 2.00 p.m. today while a group consisting of four young women and one young man had gone to bathe in the Ma Oya. It is reported that four of them were bathing in an unsafe area.
Police stated that one of the young women began to drown, and while attempting to rescue her, the other three also went underwater and went missing.
Local residents and the police have launched a joint operation to locate the three missing young women and the young man.
The missing persons are reportedly aged between 20 and 25 and are residents of the Badulla and Haputale areas.
It is also reported that they are employed at a factory in the Badalgama area.
