Karnataka: Three children drown in water tank

MANGALURU: Three children, including two siblings, who were cherishing their summer vacation, drowned in a water tank that was built to supply drinking water. The incident took place at Uddangala near Panaje under Puttur Rural police station on Wednesday evening.

The deceased are identified as Vishmitha (13) and her sister Chaithra (10) and Jeethesh (13). The three were students of Mittadka Government School, Bettampady.

According to some people, the tank was kept open. The children, who were anxious to see the content inside, climbed a few steps down the ladder placed on the inner side of the tank. A picture shows the three bodies along with a fallen ladder, giving the impression that the ladder may have collapsed, leading to the drowning.

Locals, who gathered at the spot, blamed the panchayat functionaries alleging ignorance as they left the tank unlocked.

Sources said the tank was built three months ago in order to supply drinking water to residents in Bettampady Panchayat limits. The police, who had arrived at the spot, were yet to gather details at the time of filing this report.