Eight students aged 10 to 15 drowned on Thursday afternoon while swimming in the Đà River in the northern city of Hoa Binh, Hoa Binh Province.

The section of the Da River where the students drowned. 

A group of ten students of Huu Nghi primary and secondary schools had an afternoon off and decided to go swimming in the section of the river running through Thinh Minh Hamlet, Thinh Lang Ward.

Unfortunately, eight of the students drowned. The two others escaped but were reported to be in a state of shock.

The bodies of the students were found at 6pm on Thursday.

A witness saw the children playing beside the river before they disappeared, leaving their shoes on the bank.

Police are investigating the case. — VNS