Alarming increase in child drowning incidents.

In recent days, a series of tragic drowning incidents involving children have occurred in Hai Phong and many other localities across the country.

Students in An Hung commune were given life jackets.

In recent days, Hai Phong and many other localities across the country have witnessed a series of tragic drowning incidents involving children. With the summer holidays approaching, the risk of accidents and injuries, especially drowning, is increasing, requiring localities, schools, and families to be more proactive in preventing and protecting children.

"The worry never comes around again."

On the afternoon of May 18th, a particularly serious drowning incident occurred in the Lo River area, specifically in Song Lo commune ( Phu Tho province), resulting in the deaths of 5 students. Recently, a tragic drowning incident also occurred in the Cau Nguyet area (An Khanh commune, Hai Phong), where an 11-year-old male student died. Prior to that, on April 10th, a 9th-grade student from Thanh An Secondary School drowned while swimming in the river near Tuong ferry terminal on the Rang River, in Ha Bac commune (Hai Phong). On May 19th, on his personal social media page, Mr. Nham Quang Van, a member of the 116 Rescue Team, continued to post updates and information about the search for a 13-year-old student (suspected to have gone missing while swimming in the river in Kim Thanh commune).

According to official statistics, in 2025, 25 children died from drowning in the city, making drowning the leading cause of death among children. The majority of drowning cases involve children aged 10-14, who are active, adventurous, and inquisitive , and unaware of the potential dangers in the water. Tragically, a large proportion of drowning incidents occur during the summer months (April to September).

Mr. Nguyen Duc Nam, a worker at Sao Vang Co., Ltd. (An Lao commune), shared: He and his wife work all day, so during the summer they usually send their three children to their maternal grandparents' house in Kien Hai commune, since the children don't have to go to school. However, they are always worried and anxious because there are many ponds, lakes, and rivers around their house, and their maternal grandparents are elderly and find it difficult to closely supervise and remind the children. The solution their family focuses on is teaching their children to swim from a young age.

According to Mr. Nguyen Kim Hoang, Secretary General of the City's Aquatic Sports Federation, popularizing swimming in schools and residential areas is one of the important solutions to prevent drowning in children. However, knowing how to swim is not enough to be safe in aquatic environments. Children need to be equipped with knowledge and survival skills in water environments such as: identifying whirlpools and dangerous areas to know how to escape, using indirect rescue methods when encountering someone who is drowning; skills to remain calm and control breathing when experiencing cramps, exhaustion, or being swept into a whirlpool; carrying life jackets or swimming floats when entering the water…

Many units and organizations are actively participating in encouraging the swimming teaching and learning movement. The City Labor Union is distributing 5,000 free swimming tickets at the Vietnam-Czech Friendship Labor Culture Palace Swimming Pool to the children of union members and workers. The City Red Cross plans to organize 3-5 first aid classes in the community for students during this summer.

Preventing drowning early and proactively.

Awareness campaigns on preventing drowning among students in An Hung commune are receiving attention.

Many localities have put up warning signs reading "Deep water - dangerous, swimming prohibited" at potentially risky locations within their areas, as well as implementing various solutions.

Ms. Dang Thi Dai Trang, Secretary of the Youth Union of An Hung Commune, shared: In early May, the Commune Youth Union, in coordination with the An Hung Commune Police and the Water Police Team No. 2 (Traffic Police Department, Hai Phong City Police), organized a program to raise awareness about drowning prevention for nearly 500 students in grades 6, 7, and 8 of Chien Thang Primary and Secondary School. 50 life jackets were donated to the students. Simultaneously, the Commune Youth Union intensified the production of video news bulletins using AI virtual assistants on its Fanpage and promoted the role of Youth Union members in mobile propaganda activities, integrating them into summer programs. The content of the propaganda not only improved prevention skills but also highlighted areas prone to drowning, warning the community, children, and students.

“In addition, at the end of the school year, schools need to flexibly and effectively integrate accident and injury prevention, and drowning prevention into educational activities, equipping students with necessary life skills, and supporting the organization of appropriate swimming classes for students and children with special difficulties. Schools should establish a regular communication channel to inform, warn, and coordinate with families in managing and reminding children about safety principles during the summer,” emphasized Mr. Uong Minh Long, Deputy Director of the City Department of Education and Training.

In response to the need to ensure a safe and healthy living environment for children, especially during the summer months, a time when many risks are present, the Department of Health has issued a document requesting relevant agencies, units, and localities to comprehensively review all areas and locations with potential risks of accidents and injuries within their jurisdiction, especially ponds, lakes, rivers, canals, water pits, construction sites, and drainage systems. Simultaneously, they should promptly implement preventive measures such as: installing fences and covers, warning signs, lighting, and assigning personnel to monitor dangerous areas.

Teaching children to swim is crucial for preventing drowning.

The Department of Health also requested the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the city and other organizations to strengthen propaganda and mobilization of members and the community to participate in protecting children; organize safe and healthy summer activities; and promote the supervisory role at the local level to enhance participation and create an effective shield to protect children in the city from the risk of drowning in particular and injuries in general.

HUY DAI

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/bao-dong-tinh-trang-tre-em-duoi-nuoc-543352.html