Chennai: Three people from a family who returned from the Malai Madha Church in Acharakkam were swept away on the Pala River in Chengalpet on Saturday night.
Those who were missing were identified as Leonsingh King, 38, who run the grocery store in Tirusulam; His daughter Percy, 16, a class XII student; And the son of his brother Livingston, 19.
Police said that the three were part of the group of 20 members of Tirusulam who had climbed two vans to church on Christmas day.
The accident occurred when they returned to the city after offering praying in the church.
Because the flow of water in the river is severe, the district government has forbid people to explore nearby.
Even though the warning, van passengers entered the river near Chengalpet to click Selfie.
Passenger colleagues said the king’s family went deep inside the river, and washed away, police said.
Quoting eyewitnesses, the police said that the king tried to save his children but lose his balance.
Some passengers step into the river but can’t trace them.
Fire service personnel and rescue are warned, but even they cannot find a trio.
Search operations continued on Sundays too but rescue workers could not find three people.
Chengalpet police have registered a sinking case and is investigating.