Children account for 36pct of Kelantan drowning cases since 2023

KOTA BARU: Children accounted for 36 per cent of the 96 drowning cases recorded in Kelantan since 2023.

Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department director Farhan Sufyan Borhan said this was particularly disconcerting since 35 of the 96 victims were children below 17.

He said seven children were involved in drowning cases in 2023, followed by 14 in 2024, 11 in 2025 and three so far this year.

"This shows that children remain among the groups most at risk and require continuous attention and supervision, especially when they are near water," he said.

Farhan said Kelantan recorded 28 drowning incidents in 2023, 31 in 2024, 27 in 2025 and 10 so far this year.

He said 2023 saw 25 deaths from the 28 incidents, while 23 deaths were recorded from 31 incidents in 2024.

"In 2025, there were 27 drowning incidents with 24 deaths, while this year, 10 incidents have been recorded, with 11 deaths.

"This means there was one incident involving more than one victim," he said.

Farhan said the department was strengthening preventive measures alongside search and rescue operations, particularly through water safety education and awareness programmes.

He said one of the initiatives was the free 'Jom Renang' programme, which involved 300 children aged below 12 at several locations in Kelantan.

"The programme exposes children to basic swimming skills, water safety and self-rescue techniques in emergency situations.

"We want to instil awareness from a young age that swimming is not merely for recreation but also an important survival skill," he said.

Farhan also urged parents and guardians to closely supervise children when they were near rivers, ponds, mining pools, drains, irrigation canals, beaches and other water recreational areas.

"Water safety remains a priority for the Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department, particularly in our efforts to reduce drowning incidents involving children," he said.