Two Punjabi youths drowned in the Lachine Canal in Montreal, Canada, over the weekend.

The accident occurred when one of them reportedly slipped and fell into the water, while the other drowned while trying to rescue his friend.

The victims were identified as 26-year-old Lovepreet Singh from Tapa in Punjab's Barnala and another youth, believed to be from Butala village in Amritsar district, whose identity has not yet been officially confirmed.

Emergency services, including the Montreal Fire Department and the Canadian Coast Guard, launched an extensive rescue operation and recovered both men from the canal before rushing them to hospital.

The Quebec Coroner's Office confirmed on Monday that both men had succumbed to their injuries. They had been hospitalised in critical condition after being pulled from the water.

According to preliminary information, one person fell into the canal and the second entered the water to save him.

The initial emergency call was received at 11.55 pm on Saturday, reporting that two individuals had fallen into the Lachine Canal near its junction with the Saint Lawrence river in Lachine.

After nearly two hours of intensive searching, firefighters located and recovered both victims. Officials said around 20 to 30 emergency responders participated in the operation, which involved two Montreal Fire Department boats and a Canadian Coast Guard vessel. Rescue teams used sonar equipment to locate the victims before bringing them ashore and transporting them to hospital.

The rescue operation concluded on Sunday. Authorities said the exact circumstances leading to the drownings remain under investigation.

The deaths mark the 24th and 25th drownings in Quebec this year, according to officials.

The families of the deceased are now appealing to the government for assistance in repatriating the bodies to Punjab.