Al-Muktafi Billal Shah fire and rescue station chief Sharifuddin Ali said his team received a report about the incident at 12.36pm and dispatched nine firefighters to the location.

“The fire station received information from the public that the seven male students of a private higher education institution in Kuantan had gone swimming at the waterfall,” he said.

“Two students drowned, while the other five were safe. Both victims were found by members of the public at a depth of 10m before the fire and rescue team arrived at the scene.”

Sharifuddin said the victims were Danial Danish Kamal and Nor Mukhriz Nor Mohamad, both aged 20.

He said their bodies were taken to the Dungun Hospital forensics department after being handed over to the police for further action.