PALAKKAD: Two toddlers who were playing in their courtyard slipped into the cold embrace of death within minutes, plunging an entire community into deep sorrow. The tragedy that stunned the locality took place at Pappadappadi, Thiruvegapura, Pattambi, Palakkad. The victims of the drowning incident are two young relatives.

Five-year-old Fathima Zahra, daughter of Shihab Musliyar of Karakkooth House, and two-and-a-half-year-old Muhammad Hayan, son of Shihab's brother Shoukath, succumbed to death. The accident that shocked the region occurred yesterday evening.

Found in the pond after a search

The children, who were playing in the courtyard, went missing after a short while. Following an anxious search by the family, the children were found in a pond located just 50 meters from the house. Though they were immediately rushed to a private hospital in Perinthalmanna, Fathima Zahra's life could not be saved.

Muhammad Hayan, who was subsequently placed on a ventilator, succumbed to death by this morning. Today, tears and unending pain are all that remain in a home that should have been filled with play and laughter. Koppam police have initiated further proceedings regarding the incident.