Five cadets of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) from Delhi, who were taking part at a national trekking camp at Malayatoor in Ernakulam district, drowned in Periyar River today.
The tragedy struck the cadets when they had gone to the river for a bath, police said.
The victims were part of the over 1000 NCC cadets from across the country who have congregated at Malayattoor, a hilly area, for the 8-day camp which began on December 23.
The camp was being organised by the Ernakulam NCC group of Kerala NCC directorate.
Defence minister A.K. Antony expressed his anguish at the tragedy.