A cadet and soldier from the Bolivian army drowned on Tuesday after being dragged by the strong water currents of the Quirpinchaca river, swollen by heavy rains that fell in the southern Bolivian city of Sucre.

The bodies of cadet Luis Estter and soldier Alan Alvarez were rescued 9.3 miles downriver from the point where they went missing, close to the town of Yotala, with the help of other troops and volunteers.

The Army has launched an investigation into the events that took place in Sucre, according to local media.

Video footage of the incident showed the owner of the vehicle, a military chief and other soldiers trying to rescue the vehicle floating in the river. The victims were then dragged away by the currents after unsuccessfully trying to drag the vehicle to a safer location.

The tragic death of the soldiers comes after reports of abuse and physical violence of troops by superiors at the Police Academy in La Paz. Only this week, a female soldier died from an asthmatic attack during an intense training session, local media reported.

Heavy rain over Sucre caused landslides and flooding in several parts of the city.