Three siblings were found drowned in a six-foot-deep drain after they went fishing in Kampung Permatang Jerek Merchong in Nenasi near Pekan, Monday afternoon.

The three students of Sekolah Kebangsaan Merchong Jaya, namely Nor Aleeza Marliyana Mohd Rasid, 12, Mohamad Firdaus, 11, and Nor Alia Mardiana, 7, were found drowned in the drain at about 4pm.

Pekan District Police Chief Supt Amran Sidek said early investigations found that the three siblings had left their home to go fishing at the scene of the incident at about 2pm.

"At that time, their father was at home, about 300 metres from the scene, and found his children had not returned home, and went looking for them," he told Bernama, last night.

Amran said when the father arrived at the scene, he saw Nor Aleeza floating in the drain and lifted her body to the banks.

He said Mohamad Firdaus and Nor Alia were found in the waters of the drain with the help of their neighbours who joined the search for them.

He said the bodies of the three victims have been taken to the Pekan Hospital for a post-mortem.

-- BERNAMA