In a tragic incident, four boys drowned in a pond while searching for Indian palm dates at Cheruvukommupalem village in Ongole rural mandal of Prakasam district on Thursday. The victims were identified as siblings Kareti Abhiram (14) and Kareti Sushanth (12), along with Podili Chinnu (11), and E Dinesh (10), all residents of the same village.
Sequence of Events
According to Ongole DSP R Srinivasa Rao, the boys had left home around 10am carrying a fruit-plucking stick with a sickle tied to its tip. When Chinnu did not return for lunch, his mother began searching for him. She found his clothes on the bank of the pond and screamed for help. A local resident entered the water and discovered the bodies of all four children but was unable to retrieve them.
Rescue Operation
Police received information between 2.30pm and 3pm that the boys were missing in the pond. Authorities launched a rescue and retrieval operation, and the bodies were recovered around 5pm. The DSP confirmed that a case has been registered at the Ongole taluka police station, and an investigation is underway. The bodies will be handed over to the families after a post-mortem examination.
Background
The boys were searching for Indian palm dates, a seasonal fruit often found near water bodies. This tragic incident highlights the dangers children face while foraging in such areas. Local authorities have urged parents to supervise children closely and avoid such activities near ponds and rivers.
