Bhatkal: In separate incidents, two fishermen lost their lives after drowning in the river here at Bunder in Bhatkal on Sunday.

The deceased are identified as Juje Bastyavn Rebello (28), a resident of Murdeshwar in the taluk, and Arjun, a resident of Jharkand.

Sources said that, in the first incident, Juje slipped and went drowning in the river while he was returning to port after fishing. The body was recovered and was sent to government hospital for post mortem.

In the second incident, Arjun too slipped and drowned at the time when he had been for recess across river side in the afternoon. The body of Arjun is still missing and the search is underway.

Cases have been registered at Bhatkal rural police station.