Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai

Chennai, Jul 12: In a devastating incident that has plunged an entire village into mourning, three young boys from Thiruvengada Udayanpatti near Vallam in Tamil Nadu’s Thanjavur district drowned in a pond near a temple on Friday evening.

The victims—S Balamurugan (10), S Jaswanth (8), and K Madhavan (10)—were classmates at the Panchayat Union Primary School in the village. The boys had gone missing after school, prompting concern when they did not return home even after nightfall.

Initially, their families believed the children might have joined the local festivities at the Sundaramurthy Ayyanarkoil temple in Maruthakudi. However, panic set in around 10 p.m. when a search began. A local resident reported spotting the boys near the Pillayar temple pond earlier that evening, redirecting the search effort.

When families reached the pond, they found the children’s school bags abandoned on the bank—an ominous sign. Tragically, moments later, the boys' bodies were seen floating in the water. Despite being rushed to the Government Thanjavur Medical College Hospital (TMCH), all three were declared dead on arrival.
The Vallam Police have launched an investigation, though preliminary findings suggest accidental drowning. No foul play is currently suspected.

This heart-wrenching tragedy adds to a disturbing trend in the state. In recent weeks, Tamil Nadu has witnessed several drowning incidents: two college students perished in a check dam in Salem, while four teenagers drowned in a water-filled quarry in Tirunelveli.

The repeated loss of young lives has intensified calls for stronger safety measures around open water bodies. Experts and local officials are urging the installation of fencing, warning signs, and community education programs, especially in rural areas where unsupervised play near water is common.

Authorities have also called on parents to remain vigilant, particularly near religious and recreational sites where children often gather.

As the village of Thiruvengada Udayanpatti grapples with the collective grief of losing three of its youngest, the tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the urgent need for proactive water safety interventions across the state.