When tragedy strikes, everyone asks – how could this happen? A 9-year-old boy who went missing in the Drava River near Belišće has finally been found, but sadly, not alive. After days of exhausting search efforts involving divers, firefighters, and police, the boy’s body was discovered several kilometers downstream from where he disappeared. The Osijek-Baranja police department is still awaiting official confirmation, but local sources and the head of the HGSS Osijek station, Krešimir Burazin, confirmed that the search is over and their team is pulling out.
It all happened at an unregulated swimming area where the boy, his mother, and his 6-year-old brother were enjoying the water. Suddenly, a strong river current swept them away. Three men quickly jumped in to help and managed to rescue the mother and younger brother safely, but the boy vanished beneath the surface and was lost.
This tragedy casts a dark shadow over the safety of our rivers and swimming spots. How can children be exposed to such danger? Who is responsible for the lack of proper supervision and marking of hazardous zones? While the family faces an unimaginable loss, the community is left in shock and with unanswered questions.
If you have similar experiences or think it’s time for change, feel free to share your thoughts. Maybe your story could spark the changes needed to save lives.
