7 girls drown in 15-ft-deep pit near dam in Tamil Nadu

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Seven girls, aged 10 to 18, drowned in a deep pit filled with water near a check dam built across the Gedilam river at A. Kuchipalayam near Cuddalore, in Tamil Nadu on Sunday.

The deceased were identified as R. Priyadarshini, 15, her sister Divya Darshini, 10, of Ayan Kurunjipadi village, A. Monisha, 16, M. Navaneetha, 18, K. Priya, 18, S. Sangavi, 16 and M. Kumudha, 18, all hailing from A. Kuchipalayam village.

The incident occurred around 12.45 p.m.

Police said the girls gathered near a 15-foot-deep pit located 300 metres from a check dam built across the Gedilam river at noon. The pit was filled with water after the recent rains. They entered into the waters to take bath. When they ventured into a deeper part of the pit, two of the girls were trapped inside and started drowning.

The others tried to rescue them, but they too drowned. On information, Fire and Rescue Services personnel retrieved the bodies and sent them for post-mortem to the Cuddalore Government General Hospital (GH).

As the tragic news spread, the family members of the victims thronged the GH. Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare M.R.K. Panneerselvam and Cuddalore Collector K. Balasubramaniam called on the family members at the GH and consoled them.

Eyewitnesses said there were several pits along the banks of the river near the check dam and children often come to bathe.