A record number of drownings in Fiji has prompted calls for better supervision of children near water.
31 people have drowned this year - eight in just the last three weeks.
25 people had drowned by the same time last year.
There's been a drowning every second day on average this summer. Photo: 123RF
Education Minister Rosy Akbar placed responsibility on parents, calling for more adult supervision these school holidays.
"As we travel across the country and work with children, there's one thing that we find disturbing is the time that we allocate to our children - one of the biggest investments. You must have heard about more drowning cases and that's indeed very sad. Parental supervision, parental engagement please keep it your priority. They are your children, they are our children as well and we want what is best for our children," she said.
Police said eight people had died in separate drowning incidents in the last three weeks.
Police said this included two brothers in Nasilai, Nakelo, and a three-year-old boy in Nasali, Rewa,
A 14-year-old boy drowned at the Olympic Pool in Suva while a 19-year-old student died trying to save his sister in the Paipai River, Lautoka.
Police said the two latest cases involved two brothers who drowned in Vuda Point, Lautoka on Friday and the 29-year-old man who had gone swimming on Sunday in Keyasi, Navosa. His body was found floating in the river.
Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama pleaded with parents and guardians to supervise their children during the school holidays.
Speaking on Radio Fiji's Na Noda Paraiminisita (The PM) programme, Bainimarama said he was saddened at the increased cases of drowning across the country.
He said it's crucial for students to stay home rather than going out for a picnic, to swimming spots and pools.
"It's crucial for us to be vigilant while going out for a swim," he said. "We have lost so many children to drowning.
"Please be careful when you go to the beach, to the river, swimming pool. And to parents and guardians, I am pleading to you to stay with your children - if he or she is somewhere near the water, please do not leave them alone and make sure you see what they are doing."
