Woman, 3 girls drown in lake, two rescued

The deceased were identified as G Chitra (40) and K Sathya (13) of Karasangal, G Kalaiyarasi (17) of SV Chathiram in Molachur and R Poornima (8) of Manimangalam. Police sources said they were relatives and resided in the same locality.

On Saturday morning, they went to wash clothes in the lake along with Chitra’s elder sister T Thilaga (42). While others were washing the clothes, Thilaga’s younger sister’s son Hari and Poornima jumped into the lake.

A little while later, the children began to drown. Hearing their cries, Thilaga, Chitra and others jumped in to rescue them. Chitra managed to rescue Hari, and after bringing him to safety, she went to rescue others as none of the rest knew swimming.

Other villagers who rushed to their help pulled out all the four and rushed them to the Chromepet government hospital, where Chitra, Sathya, Poornima and Kalaiyarasi were declared dead on arrival.

Thilaga and Hari were admitted for treatment. The Manimangalam police said they had come to Thilaga’s house in the neighbourhood during the lockdown.