THREE persons, including a student, drowned on Sunday, April 11, while gathering seashells locally known as "kayog" at the Himogaan River in Barangay Paraiso, Sagay City.

Based on police investigation, the three victims were swept away by a strong current while gathering seashells around 2 p.m. Sunday.

Police Lieutenant Abundio Diaz, Sagay City deputy police chief, identified the victims on Monday, April 12, as Jerry Maggada, 52; Dwins Diare, a 21-year-old student of Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology; and Sandy Dorignel, 38, all residents of Sagay City.

The lifeless body of Maggada was retrieved Sunday by rescuers, almost four hours after the incident, while the cadavers of Diare and Dorignel were recovered around 7 a.m. Monday, April 12, Diaz said.

The two companions of the victims identified as Freddie Nuyadand and a certain Kimbert survived the incident.

The bodies of Diare and Dorignel were reportedly recovered by rescuers at about 18 feet below the surface.