A ONE-YEAR-OLD Gweru toddler drowned in a bucket on Sunday after he was left unattended outside the house.
Acting Midlands provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Fungai Ngawagare confirmed the incident that occurred in Mkoba 14 high-density suburb.
“Police in Gweru are investigating a case of sudden death by drowning where a one-year 10-month old baby boy drowned in a bucket of water in Mkoba 14, Gweru on December 11, 2022 at around 2pm,” Ngawagare said yesterday.
“Circumstances are that Mufaro Mugoniwa was left playing alone outside the house and he then fell into a bucket full of water. He was discovered by his grandmother Brigna Gwara (37) who rushed him to Gweru Provincial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.”
Ngawagare said the matter was reported to the police and the body was conveyed to Gweru Provincial Hospital mortuary for post mortem.
“We call upon parents or guardians to guard against toddlers playing near or around water bodies. Containers full of water should not be left unclosed,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ngawagare warned the public against crossing flooded rivers, which has caused loss of lives during each rain season.
He also urged parents to closely monitor their children who have a habit of swimming in flooded pools and rivers during rains.
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