Daijiworld Media Network - Ranipet

Ranipet, Jul 13: In a heart-wrenching incident in Tamil Nadu’s Ranipet district, three young boys drowned on Sunday while bathing in a pond at Mettu Kunnathur village near Banavaram.

The victims — Bhuvaneswaran (7), Moni Prasad (9), and Sujan (7) — were all from the same village. According to local accounts, the children had gone unsupervised to the pond, a popular spot among kids, when they accidentally wandered into a deeper area and began to struggle.

Witnesses recalled seeing the boys play near the water’s edge before tragedy struck. Hearing their cries, villagers rushed to help and quickly contacted emergency services. Personnel from the Banavaram Fire and Rescue Department arrived and pulled the boys out, but despite their efforts, the children were declared brought dead at the nearby Government Primary Health Centre. Their bodies were later shifted to the Sholinghur Government Hospital for autopsy.

The entire village has been plunged into mourning, with families and neighbours devastated by the sudden loss. Residents have raised questions about the lack of safety precautions around such water bodies, especially during summer when children are more likely to swim unsupervised.

Police have registered a case and launched an investigation. Early findings point to accidental drowning, with no indication of foul play. Officials will also review whether the pond lacked basic safety features such as fencing or warning signage.

This is the second similar case involving children in Tamil Nadu in recent days, prompting renewed calls for better monitoring of rural water bodies and public awareness campaigns. Authorities have urged parents to exercise caution and ensure that children do not play near water without adult supervision.