A 6-year-old boy drowned inside a flooded culvert at Togomasi in Nadi yesterday.
Fiji Police Force Chief Operations Officer (COO) Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Livai Driu said around midday, the boy tried to cross a flooded culvert with his 60 year old grandmother when he was swept away by strong current.
Neighbours were alerted and they assisted in searching for the boy.
He was later found trapped inside a flooded culvert.
“They rushed him to hospital but was too late. Children should be kept away from going to such flooded places where it is just risky for them.” said ACP Driu.
He said due to the continuous rain, many creeks, drains, rivers, irish crossing and culverts will be flooded and children should be kept away from these places.
“It’s not only parents, we are calling on everyone to take responsibility of this issue. If they see children swimming or playing near flooded waters, please send them home.”
The Chief Operations Officer said Police will be out patrolling flooded areas and is calling on everybody to assist in keeping our children safe.
