Eight including 6 children missing after tractor swept away by floods

At least eight persons including 06 children are reported missing while two children have been rescued after the tractor they were travelling on was caught in flood waters in Karaitivu in Ampara District this evening (26).

Police said that a total of 13 individuals including 11 boys, the tractor’s driver and assistant were traveling on the vehicle at the time of the incident and that 05 children had been rescued. 

The tractor was traveling from Ninthavur to Sammanthurai when it had toppled due to strong currents in the flood waters. 

The incident had occurred near the bridge located close to the Karaitivu bus stand as the group of students were returning home from attending a Madrasa school in Ninthavur. 

The missing children are aged between 12 and 16 years while they are residents of Sammanthurai, according to police.

A search operation has been launched to locate the missing persons by police personnel and areas residents.