Kids under 14 make up more than a third of Kelantan’s drowning deaths since 2023

According to a report by Malay Mail, children under 14 have made up more than a third of the 96 drowning deaths recorded in Kelantan since 2023, underscoring the urgent need for better preventive measures and water safety awareness for this demographic. The Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) reported that 35 of the total fatalities were children, with 14 deaths recorded in 2024 alone.

Department statistics indicate a fluctuating trend, with 28 drowning fatalities in 2023, increasing to 31 in 2024, decreasing to 27 in 2025, and reaching three so far this year. For children under 14, the numbers show seven deaths in 2023, rising to 14 in 2024, 11 in 2025, and three cases so far this year. In response, the JBPM is ramping up preventive efforts through water safety education and awareness programs, including the free Program Jom Renang, which has engaged 300 children under 12 across various locations.

The program aims to equip young participants with basic swimming skills, water safety knowledge, and self-rescue techniques to mitigate drowning risks. Farhan Sufyan emphasized the critical role of constant parental supervision near water bodies and the importance of collective action from schools, communities, and the public to foster water safety practices and prevent future tragedies.

Brief written by urgent.news from Malay Mail's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.