The Office of the Children's Advocate says it will be launching its own investigation into the circumstances which led to the death of the two students who drowned in Portland.

The dead students have been identified as Shane Burke and Demel Osbourne, both fourth-form students at the St Andrew College in Kingston.

Burke and Osbourne were among students who had gone on a field trip to a banana plantation in St Mary.

It is reported that the 30 students and four teachers stopped at the Shan Shay Beach in Portland where Burke and Obourne and another student went for a swim.

While in the water, the students got into difficulty where one was rescued and the two others drowned.

The Office of the Children's Advocate said if the reports are true it is deeply saddened and amazed that the teachers, who were entrusted with the care of the children, could have displayed such wanton disregard.

The office said in addition to launching a probe, it will be providing the necessary social support services to the families.

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