Warning of Child Fatalities from External Causes

The prosecutor's office of the district has intensified oversight of the enforcement of legislation aimed at preventing fatalities from external causes.

An analysis of statistical data on the number of people who died in the Vitebsk region from external causes indicates the inadequacy of measures taken to counteract the formation of adverse factors contributing to emergencies. Thus, in the first 5 months of the current year, 25 people drowned (compared to 19 in the same period of 2019).

No fatalities of minors in water have been recorded this year in the Vitebsk region; however, in 2019, 5 children died from drowning (of 5 cases, 2 occurred in a lake and a river, and 3 in artificial water bodies).

Considering the relevance of warning against child fatalities from external causes, parents of minors should remember that they are primarily responsible for ensuring the safety of their children. In this regard, it is necessary to eliminate instances of minors being without adults at water bodies, as well as swimming in prohibited, unprepared, or unfamiliar water bodies.

It should also be noted that swimming in prohibited areas is subject to administrative liability under Article 23.63 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Belarus, which provides for a fine ranging from one to three basic units.

Deputy Prosecutor of the District                            S.P. Harbus