CUDDALORE: Seven girls met with a tragic death drowning in a check dam built over the Gadilam river in Tamil Nadu's Cuddalore district on Sunday. The deceased had gone for a bath in the river water when the incident occurred, according to the Nellikuppam police in Cuddalore.

Following the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his condolences for the loss of four adults and three child girls who drowned on June 5 at a check dam in Cuddalore. "I am deeply saddened by the drowning of youngsters in Tamil Nadu's Cuddalore. In this time of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families'The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) sent out a message.

MK Stalin, the Chief Minister, had previously announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh apiece from the General Relief Fund to the family of the deceased. In a press statement, Stalin urged the authorities to keep a closer eye on children bathing in bodies of water. "Everything must be done to safeguard the safety of children and young people bathing in rivers and pools," he said in the statement.

He also advised local governments to put up warning and notice boards to alert residents to river areas with deeper depths. "Local authorities and police should educate residents in their respective areas about the hazards of water bodies, particularly children and teenagers, and give them first-aid training in the event of any casualties, as well as explain how to utilise water bodies safely," he added.

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