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

Kelantan has recorded 96 drowning deaths from 2023 to September 2026, and 35 of the victims were children under aged 14. — Picture from Facebook/JBPM Negeri Kelantan

First Published: Sunday, 27 Sep 2026 9:14 AM MYT

KOTA BHARU, Sept 27 — Children under 14 accounted for about 36 per cent of the 96 drowning deaths recorded in Kelantan since 2023, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen preventive measures and water safety awareness for this group.

Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director Farhan Sufyan Borhan said out of the total fatalities, 35 victims were children, with the highest figure of 14 deaths recorded in 2024.

He said department statistics showed 28 drowning fatalities in 2023, rising to 31 in 2024, then declining to 27 in 2025, with 10 so far this year.

For victims under 14, seven deaths were recorded in 2023, followed by 14 cases in 2024, 11 cases in 2025, and three cases so far this year.

Consequently, Farhan Sufyan said Kelantan JBPM is increasing preventive efforts through water safety education and awareness, including the free Program Jom Renang (Let’s Swim Programme) conducted in five series involving 300 children under 12 at various locations statewide.

“This programme aims to equip children with basic swimming skills, water safety knowledge, and self-rescue techniques as proactive steps to reduce the risk of drowning incidents,” he said.

He also reminded parents to constantly monitor their children near rivers, ponds, lakes, and open bodies of water, stressing that cooperation from schools, communities, and the public is vital to embedding water safety practices to avert drowning tragedies. — Bernama