In the Vitebsk region, 20 children died from suicide, drowning, and other tragedies in six months
In the Vitebsk region, 15 children and adolescents died from external causes in the first half of this year. This is 4 more people than in the same period of 2014. These data were announced by the senior assistant prosecutor of the region, Anton Volkov, at a meeting in the regional executive committee, according to a BELTA correspondent.
"Including suicides, we already have 20 deaths. But even the death of one child is too many. The main reasons remain inadequate parental supervision and lack of upbringing, as you cannot assign a round-the-clock supervisor to every child. However, there are also isolated cases of mismanagement by owners of hazardous facilities," Anton Volkov added.
Cases of drowning are of particular concern - there have already been 5 such incidents this year. Moreover, four children drowned in artificial reservoirs - in places not intended for swimming. This raises the question of the performance of those responsible: such facilities must be controlled and operated for their intended purpose or be eliminated if they are not needed.
"In March, specific tasks were set: if we cannot influence parents and children remain unsupervised, then it is necessary to eliminate potential hazards for children as much as possible. It was necessary to compile passports for hazardous facilities in each district and provide lists of children living near them," said Anton Volkov.
He added that during the investigation of the tragedy in the Sennensky district, where three children drowned in a small body of water, it was established that this facility was not included in the list of the local village council. It was not even possible to find out who owned it.
Chairmen of city and district executive committees, heads of district administrations of Vitebsk are instructed to update data on facilities potentially hazardous to children.
Interested services need to conduct raids on such places and eliminate the causes that pose a threat to the life and health of children. In parallel, conduct awareness-raising work with parents and minors living near dangerous objects. As for artificial reservoirs, it is necessary to ensure their safe operation.
"The element of chance, of course, remains. But let's first do everything possible to minimize it," concluded Anton Volkov.
Ekaterina Knyazeva