A second and silence: 7 children have drowned in Belarus since the start of the swimming season

July 7, 2026

Summer calls us to the water! It sparkles, plays with sunbeams, promises coolness on hot days and children's laughter. But danger by the water does not tolerate noise. It comes quietly, like a shadow, without screams and always unexpectedly. One adult's "I'll be right back" is enough for joy to turn into emptiness and pain. Never leave children alone. Not by the river, not by the lake, not by the pool, not at home in the bathtub. Not for a second. The price of this second is incomparable to the endless seconds of "life without a child." It's not those who "can't swim" who drown, but those who are left unattended for a moment. They drown near adults, just a few steps away, behind their backs, half a meter away. They drown quietly because breathing is more important than screaming. And water does not make allowances for age or height, does not ask for a passport, and is not interested in swimming lessons. Water does not forgive mistakes, and these are the mistakes of adults.

According to operational data as of 07.07.2026, 111 people have drowned in water bodies in the republic since the start of the swimming season, including 7 children.

The tragic statistics of recent days once again remind us of the deadly danger of water for children:
• In the Gluboksky district, a body of water claimed the life of a 13-year-old boy.
• In the Minsk region, a 16-year-old young man died while swimming in a prohibited area.
• In the Pinsk district, a 15-year-old teenager could not cope with the current and drowned while in an area not equipped for swimming.
• In Mogilev, at Holy Lake, a 15-year-old boy became a victim of the water element.
• In the Gomel region, a 15-year-old teenager disappeared underwater and never resurfaced.

These cases emphasize that phrases like "hold my towel, I'll be right back" or "I'll just answer this and return" can be fatal. Phone calls and messages, any distractions – all of this can wait. The only thing that cannot be delayed is your child's safety. Your eyes are their only protection. Your hands are their saving shore. The presence of an adult is not just a formality, but a vital barrier between a child and danger.
Water is deceptive in its apparent simplicity. Beneath its surface lie deep pits, strong currents, and sudden fatigue can overcome even the strongest child's arms. The most terrifying thing is the silence when a child struggles for a breath, not for a cry for help. In such moments, there is no "later" and no "in a minute." There is only "now"! Your immediate presence, your watchful eye, your control, and your determination not to look away for a second – that is what matters.
EMERCOM employees too often witness a sunny day for a family suddenly overshadowed by tragedy. And each time, we want to shout to all parents: you are the main guarantee of your children's safety on the water! Not warning signs, not signs, not inflatable toys. It is you who are the only boundary between joyful play and irreparable disaster. You are the only force capable of resisting the water element. Do not yield this vital adult responsibility to fleeting distractions. Do not tempt fate.
May every child's summer memories be filled with the taste of ice cream and sand on their feet. May water remain a source of joy, not emptiness. For this, so little and so much is needed at the same time – just be there. Be close enough for a child's palm to reach yours.
Remember these words as a personal vow: "Children are not adults! Do not leave them alone!" Neither on the shore, nor in the shallows, nor "for a minute." Water does not forgive mistakes. And if even a shadow of doubt flickers in your mind now, take it as a warning. Hear it. Stop. Come closer. Take their hand. Do not let children, especially teenagers, go to the water alone. Be there.
Say to yourself aloud: "I am here, I am not distracted, I am not leaving, I choose my child's life every time water is nearby."
Parents, hear us! Do not leave children alone. Water does not forgive mistakes. Cherish what is most precious every second, right now!