Child, 6, Drowns During Family Picnic
A six-year-old child is the country’s latest drowning victim.
The incident took place at Mosquito Island, Lami, while the child was on a picnic with family members.
Family members declined to comment as the loss has had a profound impact.
Police said an investigation had been conducted.
The Fiji Police Force said in the first 20 days in January, 12 drowning-related incidents were recorded.
Six cases involved children – the youngest was an infant.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation statistics last year showed an increase of 43 per cent in drowning cases.
The statistics showed that 53 people drowned in 2022 compared to 37 in 2021.
Children between two to 10 years old had a higher drowning rate.
Story by: jone.salusalu@fijisun.com.fj
