This footage shows a group of children swimming and playing at a waterfall in the Philippines before there is a deadly surge of water that sweeps some of them down the river.

The tragic incident took place at Tinubdan Falls, located in the municipality of Catmon in the Philippine province of Cebu on Sunday 26th September.

Two children were later found dead further downstream and the mother of one of them is still missing, according to the latest local reports.

The two children have been named as Jude Monterola, 17, and Alastra, 7, while the latter’s mother, Jacel, still missing, according to the local authorities.

The victim’s were part of a group of 17 members of the same family who were on an outing at the popular tourist hotspot when tragedy struck.

The footage shows a group of children and some adults playing among the rocks as a waterfall gushes around them.

But suddenly the water levels begin to rise quickly, which is not uncommon in the area as it is monsoon season, a period that lasts from May to November and is characterised by heavy rainfall.

The water quickly starts to flood the large rocks where the children are playing.

Some of them manage to clamber to safety, but not everyone is as lucky and some can be seen being swept away by the water.

Other footage shot from next to the waterfall and shared on Facebook by Carlos Japitana Dolendo shows an attempted rescue of the people in difficulty. Dolendo explained that they tried to rescue Monterola but were unable to do so.

Dolendo said: “We try to rescue him to save his life but unfortunately he was unlucky. I’m so sorry.”

The police have temporarily closed the tourist hotspot while they investigate and asked tourists and locals to stay away.