Police have launched an urgent search for a young boy after two bodies were found in a pond in Gungahlin in Canberra’s north.
ACT police were investigating after the bodies were found in Yerrabi pond early on Saturday.
Hall O’Meagher, detective superintendent in charge of ACT policing criminal investigations, said grave concerns were held for the missing boy, who was earlier wrongly thought to be a missing girl.
“We have grave concerns for a third person, another young child who we are currently searching for,” he said.
“Obviously a tragic situation, it’s still very early days and it’s unfolding.”
Late on Saturday, ACT Policing said it was seeking assistance from the public to locate 8-year-old Pranav Vivekanandan.
“While an extensive land and water search for Pranav has been underway since the discovery of two bodies in Yerrabi Pond this morning, police and family are issuing this plea in the event that he is alive and someone knows his whereabouts,” a spokesperson said.
Pranav is described as being of Indian Sub-Continental appearance, about 110cm (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.
Serious concerns are held for his welfare.
Anyone who may have any information that could assist police in locating Pranav is urged to contact ACT Policing Communications on 131 444, quoting reference number P2114246.
O’Meagher earlier said ACT police received a call on Saturday morning from a member of the public who had seen a person in the pond. Police attended and found the bodies of the woman and child.
Yerrabi Pond is a popular recreation spot in Canberra’s north. It has a playground, walking and cycling paths, and a skate park.
O’Meagher said the investigation was ongoing and the manner and cause of the deaths was not yet known.
“We’re making inquiries with the family of these deceased people and they’re assisting us with our inquiries at this point in time,” he said.
“Our thoughts go out to them and also to the responding police who’ve had to deal with this tragic circumstance here this morning.”
He said counselling had been made available for police and emergency services personnel.
AAP contributed to this report.
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