CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin announced a solatium of Rs 9 lakh to the family of persons who died drowning in sea near Tiruporur, on Thursday. A government release said that 17 persons from Perambur went on a trip to Suleri Kattukuppam beach near Tiruporur on September 28.

Of the 17 persons, C Venkatesan (36) died after drowning in the sea. His two daughters, Karthiga (17) and Thulasi (16), also died, and their bodies were found on September 30.

Saying that Stalin was pained by the news, the release added that Rs 3 lakh each would be given to the families of the victims from the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund.