2 British children die in German lake

Two British children have died in a swimming accident during a family holiday near the western German city of Aachen, public prosecutors said on Friday, reported dpa.

A search for the brothers, aged seven and nine, was launched late on Thursday afternoon after their parents said they had gone missing at an outdoor pool on the Eiserbachsee lake, the Aachen public prosecutor's office said.

Soon afterwards, rescue workers found the boys in the water and flew them by helicopter to two local hospitals, where they died.

The public prosecutor is investigating whether the parents could be prosecuted for negligence, according to a spokesperson. Initial results are not expected before the middle of next week.

"We are not focusing on anyone in particular, we are simply doing our job," the spokesperson said.

The accident occurred in Rurberg, a popular holiday destination in the Eifel national park, 30 kilometres south-east of Aachen.