1-year-old child drowns in Utelei River in Nadi

A 1-year-old child drowned in the Utelei River in Korovuto, Nadi yesterday.

The incident occurred near the Matavouvou Settlement.

Police say the child was left in the care of his 9 year old brother when the tragic incident occurred.

Investigators are looking at the element of negligence as the boy was allegedly left in the care of another young child.

Police say parents and guardians should not take the issue of supervision lightly and children should never be left in the care of another child and while they do not want to add more grief to the family suffering the loss of their child, they will have no choice but to charge the parents or guardians with negligence if there is sufficient evidence to do so.

The drowning death toll currently stands at 20 compared to 21 for the same period last year.