3 drowning incidents in Kancheepuram

In the first incident, a nine-year-old boy drowned in an under-construction septic tank at Pallavaram. The incident took place around 3 pm at Pallavaram- St Thomas Cantonment area when the victim, Raje, a resident of Narikuravar Colony, went to attend nature’s call. 

Since the septic tank was not visible due to stagnant rainwater, Raje accidentally fell into the tank and drowned. Later, his parents, Madhan and Kanakavalli, who came searching for him, found him in the tank. He was rushed to a hospital where he was declared brought dead. His body has been sent to Chromepet Government Hospital for post-mortem. Pallavaram police, who have registered a case, said that the septic tank was dug up by the Cantonment authorities to build a public toilet. The massive tank had no warning signs and safety railings, complained the residents of the locality. 

In another incident, a 17-year-old college student drowned in Keezh Palar River when he was swimming with his friends. The body of the deceased, Ajith, was retrieved by Kancheepuram Taluk police and sent to Kancheepuram Government Hospital for post-mortem. Ajith’s father Damodaran is a washer man, said police. 

Similarly, a 21-year-old youth drowned in Palar river near Mamandur. The victim, Sathish, went to swim in the river. Three drownings on the same day has put pressure on the district administration to prevent such incidents.