Two labourers drown after coracle tears apart in Bengaluru lake

Bengaluru: Two daily wage workers drowned in a lake near Bannerghatta after an old coracle they attempted to board reportedly tore apart Friday evening.The deceased were identified as Ambarish and Anand, natives of Yadgir, who had been working at an under-construction building in Begehalli.According to police, the two men entered Begehalli lake using an old coracle, which is believed to have torn apart mid-way, causing them to drown. Their bodies were recovered from the lake Saturday morning, police added.According to investigators, the workers would regularly enter the lake after work to cool off from the summer heat. On Friday evening, while they were in the water with a few co-workers, Anand noticed an old coracle floating nearby and swam towards it. Ambarish followed soon after.Police said the two men attempted to climb onto the coracle, but its worn-out middle portion suddenly gave way, throwing them into the water. As their co-workers watched helplessly, both men drowned.After local residents alerted the police control room, personnel from Bannerghatta police station, fire and emergency services, and local swimmers launched a search operation Friday night. However, the two could not be traced.The search resumed Saturday morning, when both bodies were recovered from the lake.