AWEIL – Residents in Aweil North County are still searching for the body of a 17-year-old boy who drowned in the Mayom-Akot River on Wednesday while fishing.
The deceased, identified as Athian Dhieu, reportedly went fishing in the afternoon when he drowned. Attempts by local fishermen to rescue him around 1:00 p.m. were unsuccessful, and his body remains missing as of Friday.
Speaking to Sudans Post, the victim’s uncle, Ariath Chol Lual, said the family has been searching relentlessly since the incident occurred.
“My brother’s son went fishing around 1:00 p.m. and drowned. The body is still missing. We are seriously searching for it, but the divers and fishermen who attempted to retrieve it could not locate it,” Lual said.
He appealed to residents living near riverbanks to report any sighting of the body to local authorities.
“I appeal to those living along rivers such as Akuem and others downstream toward Aweil East to immediately report to the nearest police station if they see a floating body,” he urged.
The Mayom-Akot River, which connects to deeper streams flowing toward Aweil East, remains flooded and poses significant danger to those fishing or swimming nearby.
In a related development, at least two children drowned in Akon North, Gogrial West County, between September and October while fishing, according to local authorities.
James Gai, the police inspector of Akon Payam, confirmed the incidents, identifying the deceased as 11-year-old Amel Makom Garang and 14-year-old Makuach Garang. He attributed the deaths to parental negligence.
“These children died because they went fishing alone. I urge parents not to leave their children unattended. When parents go to the market, they should ensure at least one adult stays home to watch over the children,” Gai said.
Some residents blame the rising number of such tragedies on worsening economic conditions, which have forced many families to rely on fishing and other risky activities for survival.
They argue that the government’s failure to stabilize the economy, coupled with frequent changes in finance leadership and unfulfilled promises of reform, has deepened poverty, pushing children and young people to engage in unsafe livelihood activities.
