Strengthening prevention of summer drowning accidents

Perhaps the heartbreaking story of the tragic drowning incident in Hai Ha district yesterday afternoon (May 21) is a warning about the dangers of accidents and injuries, including drowning, for children and teenagers this summer. Seven young people and students went swimming in the stream at Hai An dam area, Quang Thanh commune, Hai Ha district when they were suddenly swept away by floodwaters. Immediately after the incident, people were only able to save 3 people. Hai Ha district mobilized more than 1,000 people from the police, army, militia, local officials and people in the area to participate in the search along both banks of the river and the downstream area. By 8:35 p.m. on May 21, only 2 bodies of the victims were found. By 8:45 a.m. on May 22, the remaining 2 victims were still missing, and the authorities continued to search.

Authorities are searching for two missing victims in a drowning incident in Hai Ha district.

Due to the characteristics of many provinces and cities, including Quang Ninh , having coastal terrain, a dense system of rivers, lakes, ponds, lagoons, streams, and creeks, the risk of drowning for children and students is always high, especially during the summer when children do not have to go to school.

In Vietnam, nearly 2,000 children die each year from drowning. In Quang Ninh, dozens of drowning incidents occur every year, killing many children. According to statistics, the more difficult the area, the higher the risk of drowning. Risk factors for drowning in children include children playing near water without adult supervision and lacking swimming skills and safety in the water environment; using unsafe means of water transport or being too crowded without protective equipment such as buoys and life jackets; encountering natural disasters.

In order to prevent drowning accidents, especially for children and students, on April 28, 2025, the People's Committee of Quang Ninh province issued Directive 04/CT-UBND on strengthening management and implementation of drowning prevention for children, people and tourists in the province. In particular, it requires departments, branches, organizations and localities to direct the implementation of drowning prevention and control work based on their functions and tasks; review regulations and implementation of standards and criteria for drowning prevention and control, especially for children in families, communities, schools, construction works and projects; organize regular inspections of safety assurance work for beaches and swimming pools in the area; only allow operations if they meet safety conditions; Conduct a comprehensive review of locations, positions, and areas at risk of drowning accidents, take measures to thoroughly overcome existing problems that cause unsafety, and limit people's access to dangerous areas; conduct a review and add signs prohibiting bathing in places where bathing is not allowed, and warning signs of danger at locations such as water holes, lakes, rivers, deep and dangerous water areas, water storage structures, etc. that are at risk of drowning accidents; mobilize households with ponds and lagoons to equip themselves with life jackets, life buoys, and drowning rescue poles to perform on-site rescue when situations arise.

Along with that, develop and organize the implementation of a plan to ensure safety and prevent drowning accidents right from the beginning of the summer; strengthen propaganda and dissemination of knowledge and skills on drowning prevention for children, people and tourists; organize swimming classes for children during the summer to ensure effectiveness and quality, and issue certificates to qualified students after studying; mobilize social resources to invest in suitable swimming pools for practice in localities, schools and playgrounds, creating conditions for children to learn swimming and drowning rescue skills.

Drowning accidents in children can be prevented if children are equipped with swimming skills, danger recognition skills, and safe drowning rescue skills.

In particular, the Departmentof Education and Training coordinates with departments, branches, sectors, organizations and localities in the province to ensure safety and prevent drowning accidents for children and students; strengthen the direction of drowning prevention and control for students, focusing on the rainy and flood season and the summer vacation months; strengthen student management, organize extracurricular activities to ensure safety; promote education and communication to raise awareness for teachers, parents, school health workers and students about drowning prevention and control; bring propaganda and education on drowning prevention and control for children into schools in the following forms: Integration into physical education lessons, extracurricular activities, youth union activities, summer activities, etc.

Drowning accidents can be prevented if children and students are equipped with swimming skills, skills to recognize danger, and safe drowning rescue. In order for drowning accidents like the one in Quang Thanh commune, Hai Ha district to no longer occur, it is necessary for all levels, departments, sectors, organizations, and localities to participate in organizing useful activities, equipping life skills, and the attention, care, supervision, and close monitoring of families and relatives for children and students. Only then will injuries and drowning accidents be reduced in the coming time, especially in the summer.

Peace

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/phong-tai-nan-duoi-nuoc-mua-he-3358801.html