Fishermen die after drinking contents of bottles they found in the sea

Four fishermen have died after drinking the contents of bottles they found in the sea.

Another two men are fighting for life after drinking the liquid from the bottles they found in the ocean in Sri Lanka.

The sailors were said to be on a fishing trip when they found the bottles around 320 nautical miles from Tangalle, a town on the southern coast of the island, the BBC reported.

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The men thought they were drinking alcohol, the Sri Lanka Navy said.

Director General of the Sri Lankan Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Susantha Kahawatte, told news outlets the navy was attempting to bring them back to shore.

He said the navy was providing medical attention to the men aboard the fishing vessel, called the Devon, over concerns there was not enough time to return them to land for treatment.

It is believed the men gave some of the bottles to other ship crew and authorities are desperately trying to warn them not to drink them before it's too late.

Authorities are investigating the contents of the bottles.

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