A DEVASTATED dad sobbed as he hugged the coffin of his three-year-old son who drowned celebrating his birthday with his sister, nine, who tried to save him.
The siblings were found still holding hands when they were pulled from the bottom of a lake - along with three other family members.
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Dad Beytullah Cenik was inconsolable during the family funeral Credit: Newsflash 5
Three-year-old Levent Cenik drowned while celebrating his birthday Credit: Newsflash
The tragedy unfolded at Derinoz Dam near the city of Amasya in Turkey, where the family was celebrating Levent Cenik's third birthday.
Turkish media reported the boy fell into the water followed by his sister, Havvanur Cenik, while other relatives also jumped in to try to rescue them.
A total of five people died during the birthday party, including the boy's grandmother Sultan, 50, uncle Emrullah, 19, and aunt Elif Semiz, 28, who all drowned while trying to help.
The children’s grieving parents, Beytullah Cenik and Gullu Cenik, were inconsolable during the funeral the following day, Haberler reported.
Beytullah burst into tears at the head of his children, mother and brother's coffin during the emotional service.
The bodies were buried in the family cemetery after the prayer.
Search and rescue teams were dispatched to the area after the incident was reported to the authorities by bystanders.
According to the rescuers, the lifeless bodies of Levent and Havvanur were found still holding hands.
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Amasya Fire Brigade director Selim Keles said: ''We found Elif Semiz three metres from the place where the incident took place, and the grandmother, Sultan Cenik, at the point towards the dam walls.
''After a while, the children were found at a depth of 10 metres. Two of the children were side by side and were taken out holding hands.
''We experienced this incident and we are devastated as a team. We found the uncle about six meters away.''
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Levent, three (right) was found holding the hand of his sister Havvanur, nine (left) Credit: Newsflash 5
The little boy with his dad Beytullah Credit: Newsflash 5
Five people drowned at Derinoz Dam in Amasya Credit: Newsflash