A 3-year-old child was left alone by their parents on a public beach in Łeba to “wash hands in the sea,” sparking a rescue operation. The child was found unharmed, but the incident highlights concerns over unsupervised children near water.
Parents Left 3-Year-Old Alone to “Wash Hands in the Sea”; Child Went Missing
The incident occurred on Tuesday (August 26) at around 5:00 PM in Łeba. “We are searching for a 3-year-old child who went missing in the water after parents left him alone to wash his hands in the sea,” stated the Water Rescue Volunteers (WOPR) in Gniewino. A chain of life was established during the search, and the child was later located on the beach, unharmed. The rescue team urged parents: “Dear citizens, there are five days left until the end of your vacation: be cautious, be safe.” They also shared a video from the operation.
Children and Guardian at an Unsupervised Beach. “The Camp Leader Doesn’t See the Problem”
On the same day, rescue workers noticed a group of children and a guardian in the water at an unsupervised beach in Łeba, “in a place where they absolutely should not have been.” The WOPR cited the camp leader’s lack of basic knowledge about water safety regulations, adding, “After bringing everyone to shore, we see no reason to involve the police on-site.”
One Step Away from Tragedy: Six People Drowning in the Sea. “These Children Were Saved by a Miracle”
Days earlier, a near-tragedy occurred at the same location. On August 18, water rescue volunteers found six people drowning in the sea. Five of them were children, aged 11–13, part of a summer camp. The group was 100 meters offshore and 300 meters from the nearest supervised beach. Volunteers immediately launched a rescue operation and successfully saved all six, who retained their vital functions and were conscious. The WOPR emphasized: “We are aware that from the worst tragedy in the history of children’s seaside vacations, these children were saved by a miracle—the presence of water rescue patrol members at the unsupervised beach. They were in the right place and time.”
Source: Gazeta, Gniewino Water Rescue Volunteers on Facebook
