Eight-year-old Pranav Vivekanandan has been missing since the bodies of his mother and brother were found in Yerrabi Pond. Photo: ACT Policing.
UPDATED 5 pm: The child missing after the discovery of two bodies in Yerrabi Pond this morning has not yet been found and police are now pleading for public help in their search.
An extensive land and water search has been underway for eight-year-old Pranav Vivekanandan since this morning when the bodies of what’s believed to be his mother and brother were located.
Those searches have so far proved unfruitful.
Police and his family say they are issuing this plea in the event he is alive and someone knows his whereabouts but hold serious concerns for his welfare.
Pranav is described as being of Indian Sub-Continental appearance, about 110 cm (3’7”) tall, with short dark hair, and dark brown eyes.
He may have been wearing an orange T-shirt and light-coloured shorts, and a jacket.
The investigation ino the tragic incident continues.
Anyone who may have any information that could assist police in locating Pranav is urged to contact ACT Policing Communications on 131 444 and quote reference number P2114246.
A large-scale investigation is underway at Yerrabi Pond as police divers search for a third person. Photo: Lottie Twyford.
UPDATED 2 pm*: The bodies of a woman and a young boy have been found in Yerrabi Pond in Gungahlin early this morning and police hold grave concerns for another young boy.
It’s understood the group is a family and the woman is the mother of the two children.
Police divers are now searching the pond for that third person, and a land search of the area is also ongoing.
The pond is believed to be murky and difficult to conduct a search in.
A drone will also be used to scour the area.
A large portion of the park is now shut and members of the public are being asked not to cross police tape if they see it.
The ages of the deceased boy and the missing child have not been provided but it’s understood they are younger than 10.
ACT Policing Detective Superintendent in charge of criminal investigations Hall O’Meagher confirmed police had received a call this morning after a member of the public saw what they thought was a body in the lake.
When police attended around 8 o’clock, they found two bodies in the pond.
“The cause and manner of [these deaths] is not known at this time,” he told reporters.
“It’s very early in the investigation and inquiries are continuing.
“It’s a very tragic situation … and we are making inquiries with the family of the deceased … who are assisting us with our inquiries at this time.”
It is unknown how the bodies ended up in the lake at this time.
Police say there is currently no threat to the community at large but are urging anyone with information or who may have seen something to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Assistance and welfare support is being provided to the numerous first responders who are on the scene and assisting in the tragic circumstances.
About 30 police personnel are involved in the operation and the State Emergency Service is also on the scene to assist.
Anyone who is distressed by this report is urged to contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Kids Support Helpline on 1800 55 1800.
*It was previously understood the missing child was a girl.
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