CHENNAI: As many as 20 persons (12 children and eight adults) who went missing at Marina Beach due to overcrowding were reunited with their families by the city police on Kaanum Pongal (January 17).

According to the city police, at Anna Square police station limits, 8 children and 8 elders who got lost were reunited with their families, while in Marina police station limits, one child was rescued and reunited.

One of the rescued elderly was from Maharashtra, while the others were from Chennai and surrounding districts. At Elliots beach in Besant Nagar, 3 kids were rescued by police and reunited with their families.

A senior police officer said that the preparations by the city police ensured that the day went without major untoward incidents. Families with children were issued ID cards with details of name, parent, address and mobile number of the parent and tied on the hands of the child.

Around 16,000 cops were deployed for security duty by the Greater Chennai Police (GCP) to regulate and monitor crowds visiting public places like Marina beach and other public places for Kaanum Pongal celebrations. At Marina beach, temporary mini control rooms and assistance booths and watch towers were set up to monitor the swelling crowds.

Police also used drone cameras to monitor the crowds and 3 ATV (all terrain vehicles) and mounted branch personnel patrolled the sands to prevent theft and prevent people from venturing into the waters.