Two children faced a dangerous situation during a swim near the Kursaal beach in Ostend, highlighting the critical role of beach safety and lifeguard vigilance. This incident, which occurred shortly after midday on 2025-06-20 01:08:00, saw quick action from the strandredders (beach rescuers) stationed at the main post close by.
- Two children rescued quickly by beach lifeguards
- Children likely panicked after reaching sandbank
- Emergency services treated children, both stable
- Lifeguard urges following safety instructions strictly
- Avoid deep water if swimming skills lacking
- Schools should assess children's swimming abilities beforehand
The children, part of a school group, got into trouble possibly after stepping onto a sandbank and losing footing in the water. Lifeguards and a teacher acted swiftly to bring them to safety before emergency services arrived. This event raises important questions about how well schools and youth groups prepare children for sea activities.
What precautions should be taken to prevent such incidents? How can parents and schools better ensure the safety of children at Belgian beaches? The answers lie in awareness and adherence to safety guidelines, which the head lifeguard emphasises strongly.
Why did this incident happen despite being in a guarded zone? It shows that even supervised areas carry risks if swimmers are unaware or unprepared. Key points to consider include:
- Children can panic when unexpectedly losing footing, especially on sandbanks.
- Schools should assess swimming ability before water activities.
- Lifeguards urge staying within waist-deep water if swimming skills are limited.
- Following lifeguard instructions is vital for personal safety at the beach.
Moving forward, schools and youth organisations must prioritise swimming ability checks and safety briefings before beach visits. Will more rigorous safety protocols become standard practice to protect our children along Belgium’s coastlines?
