Authorities have reported a tragic incident in California where an 8-year-old girl and her 4-year-old brother lost their lives after being swept away in a river on Sunday.

The incident occurred in Kings River, which had been closed to recreational users due to high water levels, according to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.

The siblings, accompanied by their mother and her friend, entered the water approximately one mile away from the Pine Flat Dam, as stated in a press release from the sheriff’s office, NBC News reported.

Their intention was to reach a specific rock for climbing when the strong current carried the children away. Unfortunately, neither of them was wearing a life jacket.

The children were swept downstream shortly before 2 p.m., according to the statement issued by the sheriff’s office.

The search efforts began immediately, and the 8-year-old girl was located less than an hour later near the area where she had entered the water.

On Monday morning, the 4-year-old boy was found nearly 2 miles downstream from the location where he was swept away the previous day.

Written by staff