The deceased were identified as Shambhu Ahir (25) and Mahadev Ahir (24), both residents of Saterada village in Anjar taluka of Kutch district.

According to the Patdi police, the incident occurred when drivers and cleaners of two trucks, carrying lignite, stopped at the canal to take bath.

Sub-Inspector M M Ganguly said: “Instead of taking bath at the stairs of the canal, the four jumped into the deep water and two of them drowned.”

He said there was a possibility that their legs got entangled in some plants inside the canal.

Their attempts to come out could also have been foiled because of the strong current, said Ganguly.

The villagers tried to help them come out, but their efforts went in vain.