Three children drown after family jumps into canal near Punjab's Rajpura

A Mohali-based couple along with their three minor children allegedly jumped into a canal near Rajpura on Sunday, police said.While locals rescued the couple, the three children -- two girls and a boy-- drowned after being swept away by the strong current.The incident occurred about one kilometre ahead of the Mandoli bridge near Rajpura.

A Mohali-based couple along with their three minor children allegedly jumped into a canal near Rajpura on Sunday, police said.

While locals rescued the couple, the three children -- two girls and a boy-- drowned after being swept away by the strong current.

The incident occurred about one kilometre ahead of the Mandoli bridge near Rajpura. Police said the reason behind the family allegedly jumping into the canal is yet to be ascertained.

Villagers rushed to the spot after noticing the incident and managed to pull the couple out safely. However, the children were carried away by the water.

A team of local divers later recovered the bodies of three children, identified as Ekam (7), Rajvir (12), and Muskan (14).

The family belongs to Mojpur village near Landran in Mohali district.

The bodies have been sent to the Civil Hospital in Rajpura for post-mortem examination, while further investigation is underway, police said.