Three children including siblings drown in pond in Palakkad

PALAKKAD: A heartbreaking incident unfolded in Meenvallam's Thudikkode tribal colony on Tuesday, as three young children drowned in a nearby pond. The victims were identified as Radhika (9), daughter of Thampi and Madhavi, and siblings Pradeep (5) and Prajeesh (3), children of Prakashan and Anitha. All belonged to families residing in Ward 3 of the Karimba Grama Panchayat.

The tragedy came to light when the children, who had been playing near their homes, were found missing around 3 PM. A frantic search by the families led to the discovery of their slippers near a secluded pond around 5 PM. Subsequent efforts revealed the bodies submerged in the muddy waters.

Krishnan, Prakashan’s brother-in-law, was the one who pulled the children from the pond, located approximately 200 meters from their residence in an area rarely frequented by locals.

Radhika was rushed to Thachampara ESAF Hospital, while the other two were taken to Palakkad District Hospital. Sadly, all three were declared dead. Radhika was a fourth-grade student at Maruthumkadu Government LP School, and Pradeep was in first grade.

Prakashan is currently undergoing treatment at the hospital. His wife Anitha and their one-year-old baby were also present at the hospital. The three children had been playing near their house when they are believed to have wandered off to the pond out of curiosity, which led to the tragic accident, according to police. Legal procedures will be completed and the bodies released to the families after the post-mortem examination.