Four children drowned yesterday in the Dac Lien hydroelectric plant's reservoir in Dak Nhau Commune, Bu Dang District, in the southern province of Binh Phuoc.

The four children included two siblings Hoang Thi Mai, 13, and Hoang Thi Huong, 11, as well as 13-year-olds Ly Thi Tham and Nguyen Thi Hong Hanh.

The victims' families said they had taken cashew nuts at about 11am and then went for a bath in the reservoir.

A farmer saw that the children were in trouble, but it was difficult to save them due to the deep water. Their bodies were found at 4.30pm.

Local residents said a few children had drowned in the 10ha reservoir earlier. 

VNS