Two 7-Year-Old Children Drown After Swimming in Mining Area Dam
- Six children from Itireleng allegedly entered a PPC mining area without permission and went swimming in a settlement dam
- Two children, believed to be around seven years old, drowned after getting into difficulty in the water
- Ward 61 Councillor Naeem Patel extended condolences to the families as SAPS attended the scene
PAY ATTENTION: Mark Briefly News as a preferred source, and our content will appear higher in your Google feed!
Source: Getty Images
NORTH WEST — Two young children drowned after a group of six entered a mining area in Laudium without authorisation and went swimming in a settlement dam on the property.
According to crime journalist Yusu Abramjee, the mine manager confirmed the incident, which involved children from the Itireleng settlement.
The six children allegedly gained illegal access to the mining area before getting into the dam. Two of them, believed to be approximately seven years old, could not swim and drowned.
What happened at the mining area
The mine clarified that its active mining operations are situated some distance from the dam where the drownings took place. Mine personnel were only alerted after the tragedy had already unfolded, leaving them unable to intervene in time.
PAY ATTENTION: You can now search for all your favourite news and topics on Briefly News.
The South African Police Service attended the scene following the incident.
Ward 61 councillor offers condolences
Ward 61 Councillor Naeem Patel issued a statement on behalf of local residents, expressing grief over the loss of the two children.
"On behalf of the residents of Ward 61, I extend our deepest and most sincere condolences to the families of the two children who lost their lives. May they find strength and comfort during this incredibly difficult time," Patel said.
No further details regarding the identities of the children or the precise date of the incident have been made public at this stage.
Two boys drown in Polokwane river
In tragically similar news, two boys lost their lives when they drowned in a river in Polokwane, Limpopo. Their friends survived, but they were not fortunate enough to survive. 2 boys drown in Polokwane river According to SABC News, the two boys were aged 13 and 12 and swimming with three other friends in the Makgodu River, just outside Polokwane. According to the South African Police Service's Malesela Ledwaba, lightning struck the water while they were swimming, and the two boys drowned. Their three other friends were taken to the nearest hospital.
Boy drowns in construction site
Briefly News also reported that a little boy allegedly drowned in a pool of mud while playing with his friends on a construction site in Odendaalsrus in the Free State on 2 August 2025. According to the South African Police Service, the incident happened in the afternoon. A group of boys between the ages of 10 and 11 was swimming at a construction site in Kutlwanong. They swam inside an excavation filled with wastewater.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!
Source: Briefly News
