Kuala Lumpur:Kelantan Children under the age of 14 represent approximately 36 percent of the 96 drowning fatalities recorded in Kelantan since 2023. This statistic underscores the urgent need for enhanced preventive measures and increased water safety awareness for this vulnerable group.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Farhan Sufyan Borhan, the director of the Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), reported that out of the total fatalities, 35 victims were children. The year 2024 saw the highest number of child fatalities with 14 deaths.
Statistics from the department indicate a rise in drowning fatalities from 28 in 2023 to 31 in 2024, followed by a decline to 27 in 2025, with 10 incidents recorded so far this year. Among children under 14, there were seven deaths in 2023, 14 in 2024, 11 in 2025, and three recorded so far this year.
To address this issue, Kelantan JBPM is intensifying preventive efforts through initiatives such as the free Program Jom Renang (Let's Swim Programme). This program has been conducted in five series and involved 300 children under 12 at various locations throughout the state, aiming to teach basic swimming skills, water safety knowledge, and self-rescue techniques to reduce the risk of drowning.
Farhan Sufyan also emphasized the importance of parental vigilance in monitoring children near bodies of water such as rivers, ponds, and lakes. He stressed the need for cooperation from schools, communities, and the public to integrate water safety practices and help prevent future drowning tragedies.