THE design of a pool where two Brit pals drowned in Portugal is thought to be the cause of their deaths, a cop has said.

King Edonmi, 29 and his pal Mo Lisau, 27, were tragically discovered lifeless by another friend at the bottom of a hotel swimming pool in Albufeira on Tuesday.

Earlier local reports had pinned the holiday nightmare on the pair being heavily intoxicated.

But a police source has told Portuguese daily Correio da Manha that it was the design of the pool combined with the fact they couldn’t swim that had likely led to their death.

Speaking on condition of anonymity and without knowing the results of the autopsy, the source said: “It’s not a case of excess alcohol or drugs.”

“Everything is pointing to this being a terrible accident with two people who didn’t know how to swim.”

The source explained: “it is a very weird swimming pool.

“It has shallow water in most of the pool but a very deep approximately three-metre pit in the middle.

“The two men were seen talking with some girls by the pool and then went to the pool and got into difficulties in that deep middle part.

“They weren’t able to swim. It’s not a case of excess, but an unfortunate accident in a bizarre swimming pool.”

The pair tragically drowned less than 24 hours after arriving in the holiday hotspot.

Tributes have now been left to the pair near A-Listers bar on Ipswich Waterfront, according to the Ipswich Star.

One dedication to Mo said: “In loving memory of a bro whose kindness, laughter and warmth will never be forgotten.”

Another to King said: “Gone too soon but never forgotten – your spirit lives on in every shared memory and quiet moment.”

Friend Awande Luthuli, describing them as “loving, joyful and respectful, truly good souls, without any trace of evil”, told the paper overnight: “They were not typical party tourists.

“They had travelled as part of a group and met up with friends who lived in Portugal.

“They both lived by strong principles and values, including the choice of not drinking.”

A GoFundMe page has now raised more than £17,000 to repatriate the pair.

The cash is for the piles of paperwork and “overwhelming costs” involved in repatriating the bodies of the two men.

Friends wrote: “We are asking from the bottom of our hearts for your help.

“Every donation, no matter how big or small, will go directly to their families to help cover the cost of bringing Mo and King home and to support them during this time of unimaginable grief.

“Please give what you can, share this with others and keep their families in your prayers.

“Mo and King, you were loved more than words can say.

“Your light will never fade. Rest peacefully.”

A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office told the BBC: “We are supporting the families of two British men who have died in Portugal and are in contact with the local authorities.”