CHENNAI: Three people of a family returning from Malai Madha church in Acharapakkam were washed away in Palar river in Chengalpet on Saturday evening.
Those missing were identified as Leonsingh Raja, 38, who ran a grocery shop in Tirusulam; his daughter Percy, 16, a Class XII student; and his brother's son Livingston, 19.
Police said that the three were part of a 20-member group from Tirusulam that had boarded two vans to the church on Christmas day. The mishap occurred while they were returning to the city after offering praying at the church.
Since the water flow in the river was heavy, the district administration had banned people from venturing near it. Despite the warning, passengers of the van got into the river near Chengalpet to click selfies. Fellow passengers said Raja’s family went deep inside the river, and were washed away, police said.
Quoting eyewitnesses, police said that Raja tried to rescue his children but lost his balance. Some passengers stepped into the river but could not trace them. Fire and rescue services personnel were alerted, but even they could not locate the trio.
The search operation continued on Sunday as well but rescue workers could not locate the three people.
Chengalpet police have registered a case of drowning and are investigating.
