Three students on a school excursion in Janjanbureh drowned after the boat they were travelling in capsized.

The tragic incident happened Saturday morning as they were being ferried in a navy boat. 

The deceased have been identified as Sanna Kijera, Musa B Batchilly and Aboubacar Jaiteh. They were Grade 7 students of Yundum Barracks Upper Basic School. 

The ferry that usually transport passengers was grounded due to maintenance, according to reports. 

Army deputy spokesman Captain Malick Sanyang confirmed the tragic incident. 

He said it happened while a navy boat was transporting the students from the Laminkoto end of the River Gambia to the Janjangbureh end in batches.