Bodies of two Indians found in New Zealand lake

The bodies of two Indian students, reported missing following a swimming accident in New Zealand, have been found in a lake by rescue divers, a media report said on Tuesday.

The two students, both in their 20s, were reported missing on Monday after a swimming accident at a lake near McLaren Falls Park in the Western Bay of Plenty District, New Zealand Herald reported.

The first body was found on Monday night while the second was recovered on Tuesday morning.

Police said the missing students belonged to a group of four students from India who had come to McLaren Falls.

The two men were seen going into the water on Monday. One fell from a rope swing into the water and the other then went in to help him.

"One of the students swung on a rope that was suspended from a branch of a tree out over the lake. Unfortunately, the rope broke and he ended up in the water and it is believed that he was unable to swim," a police officer said.

"One of the other parties who had some swimming capability then entered the water to effect a rescue but unfortunately he also succumbed to the water and he was also found dead," the officer added.

Meanwhile, Bay of Plenty Sikh Society secretary Lehmber Singh urged the Indians to steer clear of the water if they have not learnt to swim.