Rwanda National Police

Of recent, maritime accidents have greatly decreased mainly because of improved water activities and more efficient methods. However, there are some incidents that occur like drowning which are sometimes attributed to negligence, overloading boats, bad weather or even technical problems or navigational errors.

To avoid the remaining few incidents, Rwanda National Police (RNP) in partnership with its stakeholders have held several awareness campaigns aligned to ensuring maritime security.

Latest among those is one held in Burera District where security organs and local leaders met with resident of Cyanika Sector in a meeting chaired by the mayor Florence Uwambajemariya and the Cyanika Police Station Commander Inspector of Police (IP) Augustin Habimana to address cases of children drowning.

The meeting that drew over 1500 residents of Nyamabuye  cell in Cyanika Sector, came in response to a recent incident where two children who were swimming went missing and are feared to have drowned.

“Too often drowning accidents happen in water bodies when parents and guardians have been negligent or failed keep an eye on the young ones which could eventually lead to loss of lives. Remember all drowning incidents are preventable… These senseless disappearances or deaths may have been prevented had the parents keep their children away from water bodies or kept an eye on them,” Mayor Umwambajimana told residents.

The two children who went missing had drowned along with three others who were later rescued and are luckily in good health with no damage although, normally some of those who survive drowning incidents usually end up with serious brain damage due to the lack of oxygen to the brain during the accident.

Mayor Umwambajimana however advised residents that in case of any maritime accidents, they should hurriedly call police marine unit for interventions saying that, the unit is skilled enough to save anyone if it’s called upon in time.

In his address to the residents, the Cyanika Police Station Commander, IP Habimana also added that, the negligence of some parents and guardians, especially those residing near water bodies contribute to drowning of children who play in or around these dangerous water sources.

This was an unfortunate but preventable act, if the victims ware bared or more so accompanied, they probably would have been saved,” said IP Habimana.

He challenged parents, guardians and head teachers to always be on look out for their children and pupils respectively to avoid such disasters and appealed to everyone to always call Police toll-free lines – 110 (maritime),111 (fire) and 112 (emergency), for immediate rescue.

Also, previously reports indicate that there were cases of boats capsizing due to overload or bad weather however the issue has since been addressed by ensuring that water transporters ensure standards at all times.