Mandya: In a tragic incident, five persons were drowned while swimming in Vishweshwaraya Canal at Dodda Kottagere village in Mandya taluk this afternoon.

The five, who had come to Hallegere in the taluk for a festival, had entered the canal waters for a swim, when they met their watery grave, it is learnt. All the victims were from Neelasandra in Bengaluru, it is said.

The identity of the victims were not immediately known. Basaralu Police have registered a case.