14-Year-Old Boy Drowns at Donggang Beach, Younger Brother Survives

On the afternoon of the 12th, a tragic drowning incident occurred at Zhenhai Park in Donggang Township, Pingtung County. A 14-year-old boy surnamed Hung and his 9-year-old younger brother were playing in the water at the park when they accidentally slipped into a deep-water area, instantly losing their balance and being swept out toward the sea. Although the park features shallow-water areas and pools, it failed to prevent the two youths from straying into deeper waters while playing. At the time of the incident, nearby tourists and residents were enjoying the ocean views, and thanks to the prompt intervention of a kind-hearted citizen, the 9-year-old younger brother was rescued while still conscious and breathing on his own.

Upon receiving the report, the fire department rapidly mobilized a rescue operation and initiated a search on the sea surface. After nearly an hour of effort, firefighters finally located the 14-year-old older brother near a sandbar along the coast. He showed no signs of life, and rescue personnel immediately rushed him to Donggang Antai Hospital for emergency treatment. Despite the medical team's best efforts to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, they were ultimately unable to save the older brother's life. The hospital stated that the victim had already suffered severe cardiac and respiratory arrest upon arrival, making resuscitation extremely difficult.

Zhenhai Park is located on the north side of Donggang's urban area, facing the Pacific Ocean. It boasts beautiful scenery and various recreational facilities. In recent years, the park has installed warning signs and shallow-water demarcations, and regularly dispatches security guards on a weekly basis to ensure visitor safety. However, the park still lacks professional lifeguards or rescue equipment, leaving the safety monitoring of water activities relatively weak. Over the past few years, similar drowning accidents have repeatedly occurred in coastal areas across Taiwan, serving as a reminder to all sectors of society to remain attentive to water safety and protective measures.

Upon receiving the news, the local government immediately convened an emergency meeting to review the park's safety facilities and rescue procedures. The fire department stated that it will consider deploying lifeguards and installing more comprehensive rescue equipment, while also stepping up safety education for visitors. Police indicated that they will investigate relevant responsible parties and hold them accountable for any potential negligence. Additionally, the Donggang Township Government has launched a "Coastal Safety Enhancement Plan," aiming to complete safety upgrades across all water areas within the park over the coming year, alongside the installation of automatic rescue devices and emergency call systems.

On a broader level, water safety issues in Taiwan have long drawn widespread attention. According to statistics from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the number of deaths caused by drowning or water-related accidents over the past decade has exceeded 300, the majority of whom were adolescents. The government and civil organizations have jointly promoted the "Water Safety Advocacy" program, emphasizing basic safety rules such as wearing life jackets while playing near the water, obeying warning signs, and avoiding swimming alone. This incident serves as yet another reminder that while natural landscapes are appealing, safety awareness and protective measures remain indispensable.

This tragedy has not only brought irreparable grief to the family of the Hung brothers, but has also reminded all sectors of society of the importance of public water safety. Moving forward, through the joint efforts of the government, communities, and the public to upgrade facilities and safety education, the occurrence of similar accidents may be reduced, ensuring that more families can enjoy seaside leisure in a safe environment. (Source of facts: Central News Agency)