HANOI, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed in a drowning accident in central Vietnam's Dak Lak province, the Vietnam News Agency reported Monday.

The incident occurred at about 11:30 a.m., when the couple was collecting freshwater clams in a river, the report said.

Local authorities have urged residents to avoid collecting clams in deep or fast-flowing sections of rivers and to wear life jackets and other protective equipment when working in the water.