The bodies of three youths, who went missing while bathing in the Bhairab river in Meherpur's Mujibnagar upazila, were recovered by a diving team of the Fire Service and Civil Defence last night.

The incident took place yesterday afternoon near the sluice gate, where the three were swept away by strong currents. Two of the bodies were recovered around 9:45pm, while the third was found later in Pirojpur with the help of locals.

The victims were identified as Tanvir Hossain, 20, a second-year student at Poura College from Tengramari village; his cousin Kaushik Hossain, 15, an eighth grader from Amdah village; and Mahbub Hossain, 16, from Pirojpur village.

According to locals and the administration, people often bathe in front of the Rasikpur sluice gate. Yesterday, Tanvir and Kaushik were bathing there when Kaushik was pulled under by the current. Tanvir tried to rescue him but was also swept away. Around the same time, Mahbub also went missing.

Mujibnagar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Palash Mondal said, "As there was no local diving team, divers were brought from Khulna to conduct the rescue operation. Around 9:45pm, two bodies were recovered from the river near the sluice gate, and another body was recovered from the Pirojpur river area. The bodies of the three victims were handed over to their families for burial upon consent."