Seven people from a family, including three children, drowned after getting caught in quicksand while bathing in a river in Tamil Nadu's Cuddalore district on Sunday.
The victims were reportedly taking a bath in the Gedilam river when they were stuck in sand.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted:
Chief Minister MK Stalin has expressed grief and has announced Rs 5 lakh for the family from the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund.
Mr Stalin called for steps to prevent such incidents. Warning signs should be placed near water bodies, he said.
Officials concerned should impart first aid training to people, especially those staying near water bodies, to help in times of crises, he added.
Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi expressed his condolences to the families of the victims, the Raj Bhavan said on its official Twitter handle.
Man Accidentally Drops iPhone In Temple Box. Why He Won't Get It Back Two Men Arrested In Tamil Nadu For Performing Tongue-Splitting Procedure Without Safety Equipment Massive Waterspout Spotted At Tamil Nadu's Kulasai Beach? A Fact-Check Pics: Rahul Gandhi's Family Lunch At Iconic Delhi Restaurant 'Sunny Leone' Got Rs 1000/Month Under Chhattisgarh Scheme For Married Women Donald Trump Appoints Indian-American, Elon Musk Aide As AI Advisor "Ran For My Life": Gurgaon Woman Shares Traumatic Experience With Ola Cab "Affecting Reputation": Malaysia Airlines Grounds New Airbus Jet Over Safety 3 Khalistani Terrorists, Who Attacked Punjab Cops, Killed In UP Encounter Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.