• A group of students, aged between 12 and 16 years, were returning from attending a Madrasa school in Ninthavur

Seven individuals, including five children, have gone missing after the tractor they were in was swept away by floodwaters yesterday in Karaitivu in Ampara District.   

According to police, nine individuals - the tractor driver, his assistant and seven children - had been in the vehicle at the time of the incident. However, two children were later rescued from the scene.   

The accident had taken place near the Karaitivu Junction when a group of students, aged between 12 and 16 years, were returning from attending a Madrasa school in Ninthavur.   

Search operations are underway for the missing individuals.