Damascus -- Several Syrian citizens drowned while others were rescued after attempting to cross the al-Kabir River between Syria and Lebanon in western Homs province amid heavy rainfall and strong currents, Syrian state media reported.

The incident took place near the villages of al-Shabruniyeh and al-Dabbousiyeh, close to the town of Talkalakh, where a group of people attempted to cross the southern branch of the al-Kabir River, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

Munir Qaddour, head of the Talkalakh civil defence centre, told SANA that the bodies of two women and a young man were recovered. Survivors said the group originally consisted of 11 people. Four reportedly made it back to the Lebanese side, while others were swept away by the current.

One survivor, Syrian refugee Nayef Riya, told SANA that Lebanese security forces had stopped him and other Syrians while they were heading to work in Lebanon. He said they were taken to a border point near al-Dabbousiyeh village and instructed to cross the river into Syria.

Riya said heavy rainfall and strong currents prevented most of the group from crossing, forcing some to retreat. He said he managed to cross but was later rescued by Syrian soldiers.

In response, the Lebanese Army on Sunday denied reports claiming that Syrian refugees had been forced to cross the river by Lebanese forces during their attempt to cross the northern Lebanese-Syrian border illegally.

"Certain news outlets reported that Syrian refugees were forced by the Lebanese Army to cross the river while attempting to illegally cross the northern Lebanese-Syrian border," the Lebanese military statement, issued by the army's Directorate of Guidance, read. 

It added that no one had been forced by Lebanese forces to cross the river and said search efforts were underway, in coordination with Syrian authorities, to locate those who drowned.

Border areas between Syria and Lebanon, particularly in western Homs, have seen repeated attempts by Syrians to cross through unofficial routes, often driven by economic hardship and restrictions on legal movement.