Several people fell through ice in Latvia on Sunday

Take note – story published 3 years ago

On January 17, rescuers received several calls to bodies of water where people had fallen through ice, Latvian Television reported Sunday.

Calls were received in Rīga and elsewhere. In Ikšķile, parents and a small child had all fallen through the ice. Luckily, other people were nearby and helped the family out of the river.

"At 14:07, the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) received a call in Ikšķile, where people had fallen into the Daugava. When they arrived at the scene, VUGD was not needed because other people had helped and lifted people out of the water.

"This was not the only case today. A man was also removed from the Daugava in Rīga, and we received several calls where minors were also on ice. We call for the people not to step on frozen water bodies, the layer of ice that has formed is very fragile and dangerous. Also look after children and pets,” VUGD spokeswoman Agrita Vitola said.

At the moment, the child who fell in the river in Ikšķile is in the hospital. His state of health is stable, said the Emergency Medical Service.

In 2020, 122 dead bodies were pulled from the water by the VUGD, maintaining Latvia's unwanted status as one of the worst places in Europe for drownings. So far this year two people have already suffered a similar fate.

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