Two men from Phnom Penh drowned in Prey Veng province after a motor boat carrying six people capsized in a storm as it crossed Chrey Krohem Lake on Tuesday evening, local authorities have said.

Loeng Samun, Kampong Russey commune police chief, said yesterday that at about 6pm on Tuesday he and two villagers were drinking by the lake when they heard a scream for help.

But owing to the stormy conditions, they could not work out where the cries were coming from.

After 10 minutes, Samun said they heard screams in the near distance.

“We . . . spotted them trying to swim. Fortunately, there was a boat at the outpost, so we could save them,” Samun said.

Om Suy, 42, a local official in Tnout village, who joined Samun in the rescue attempt, said the two victims had died after the boat they were in capsized.

Ong Pharn, Pea Reang district police chief, said the bodies of the two deceased were recovered after three attempts.

“The third time, we hired two Khmer Muslim men who are good divers,” he said.

“Our forces found one body and the hired men found one,” he added.

Pharn identified the victims as police official Sov Porsuor, 36; and tattoo artist Chan Sokutheary, 31.

Both were visiting family in Tamerng village. The bodies have been delivered to relatives in the capital.