2 Syrian Sisters Drown, Brother Goes Missing Off Southern Coast

Tragedy struck the Syrian Zaitoun family after two siblings drowned and a third went missing off al-Aitaniyeh coast in southern Lebanon, the National News Agency reported on Tuesday.

NNA said the family of six had gone to the beach near the area of al-Qasmiyeh on Monday afternoon to take a walk on the shore and swim.

The two brothers and two sisters were swimming and holding a plastic gallon in their hands when a sea current dragged three of them. One of the children, a seven-year-old, then began screaming for help and came to the shore.

A 17-year-old swimmer identified as Ali Bazih sought to rescue the others but he was injured after waves pushed him to nearby rocks.

Civil Defense Department rescuers were called and after a frantic search they retrieved on Monday the body of Salwa, 12, and on Tuesday morning that of her sister Shaileh, 13, NNA said.

Rescuers are still searching for their brother 10-year-old Abbas, the agency added.