Drowning is always a concern.

Police units and local authorities throughout the city are actively promoting awareness, providing guidance, and equipping students with drowning prevention skills to minimize tragic incidents.

Officers from the Bach Dang Water Police Station, Traffic Police Department, are providing free swimming lessons to local children.

Many tragic drowning incidents.

The 2025-2026 school year hasn't ended yet, and the hot weather has just begun, but tragic drowning incidents involving children have been occurring repeatedly in many localities across the country. In less than three days (from May 18th to 20th), nine students in Phu Tho and Dak Lak provinces died from drowning. Before this incident could even subside, on the morning of May 23rd, authorities and local residents found the bodies of three children who had died while swimming in the Tra Khuc River, in the section flowing through Truong Giang commune, Quang Ngai province.

Recently, on May 19th, a 6th-grade student in Phu Thai commune, Hai Phong city, tragically drowned while swimming in a river. These recurring incidents show that child drowning is not a new problem, but it remains a serious concern every summer.

According to statistics from the Fire Prevention, Firefighting, and Rescue Police Department of the city, from 2025 to the present, officers and soldiers of the unit have recovered 28 bodies of children who died from drowning. Major Hoang Van Tham, Team Leader of the River Firefighting and Rescue Team (Fire Prevention, Firefighting, and Rescue Police Department), reported that the number of child drowning incidents is highest between April and September each year, with ages ranging from 5 to 16 years old.

Whenever a distress call is received, the unit quickly dispatches officers and soldiers from the highly skilled underwater firefighting and rescue team to the scene, deploying diving teams to search regardless of rain, wind, or darkness. Above all, the officers and soldiers on duty understand and empathize with the anxious eyes of those who anxiously await the discovery of their children and grandchildren.

With the 2026 summer vacation approaching and the rainy season drawing near, the risk of drowning accidents among children is increasing, especially in localities with rivers, canals, ditches, ponds, and lakes. Major Vu Thanh Tung, Secretary of the Youth Union of Tan Ky Commune Police, stated: "The Dinh Dao River runs through the locality for about 5 km. After conducting a survey, the Commune Youth Union and the Police Youth Union jointly placed warning signs at 22 deep and dangerous water points along the river to prevent drowning. The signs are installed in easily visible locations with clear content, helping to remind people, especially children, to prevent potential drowning accidents."

Acquire swimming and first aid skills.

The Youth Union and the Tan Ky Commune Police collaborated to install warning signs in areas with deep and dangerous water in the commune.

Having directly organized and participated in free swimming lessons for hundreds of children in Nam Trieu ward, where his unit is stationed, Lieutenant Colonel Ngo Minh Tue, Head of the Bach Dang Water Police Station, Traffic Police Department (City Police), expressed his concern: One of the causes of drowning is that children do not know how to swim and lack knowledge and skills in preventing and responding to drowning. This leads to many incidents where children who try to save others drown because of improper rescue methods, resulting in extremely tragic consequences. Therefore, along with teaching swimming, it is essential to equip children with important skills such as how to identify dangerous areas, methods for calling for help, and safe rescue techniques that do not endanger themselves. This will enhance their self-protection awareness and their ability to assist others when needed. At the same time, families are advised to regularly supervise their children, not to leave young children in the care of older children, and not to allow children to swim in rivers, streams, ponds, or lakes, or play near dangerous areas without adult supervision. Absolutely do not allow children to swim in deep, fast-flowing water, areas with danger warning signs, or during bad weather. When discovering someone drowning, quickly shout for help, call rescue forces, and use life-saving equipment to assist; do not attempt to rescue someone yourself if you are not confident in your skills and safety.

Recently, along with the launching ceremony of the "All People Practice Swimming" campaign in Nam Sach commune, the Hai Phong Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued a document requesting communes, wards, and special zones to strengthen the implementation of central and city directives on preventing injuries and the safe swimming program to prevent drowning among children. This includes focusing on propaganda and education on preventing drowning accidents among children, especially during the summer; disseminating knowledge and skills on preventing drowning accidents and participating in activities in riverine areas; and renovating and repairing locations with a high risk of drowning accidents. Local authorities need to strengthen inspection, monitoring, and timely handling and prevention of potential drowning accidents for children; ensuring that water sports and recreational activities meet the required conditions.

In addition, localities need to resolutely address unsafe swimming instruction and learning centers; mobilize the participation of organizations, associations, and the public in monitoring, detecting, and warning of drowning accident risks; socialize the construction of safe playgrounds and swimming pools; and organize swimming education activities for children, especially disadvantaged children and children in localities with rivers, canals, ponds, and lakes.

LE OANH

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/duoi-nuoc-luon-la-noi-lo-544070.html