The victims have been identified as Abuk Bak Jurwiir and Adeng Garang Ken, who were cousins. Witnesses said the girls were at the riverbank when they slipped into the water and were unable to make it back to safety.
Joseph Ungom, a health officer at the Marial-baai Health Facility, confirmed the deaths. He said the bodies were rushed to the center, but it was too late to save them. Ungom linked the incident to seasonal flooding, which he noted has contributed to an increase in drowning cases in the area.
“This is a very sad incident for our community,” Ungom said. “There is a need for us as parents to talk with our children after they return home in the evenings. We must heighten child care and ensure they are protected, especially during this period when rivers and pools are swelling due to the rains.”
He urged parents and guardians to keep children away from rivers, streams, and stagnant pools during the rainy season, warning that rising water levels and strong currents pose serious risks.
The tragedy comes just a week after a similar incident in Aweil East County, where a young boy drowned in a pool of water. According to reports, the boy’s siblings had left him unattended, assuming he would follow them home. Instead, he wandered off to a nearby pool, where he lost his life.
Authorities have also warned that with heavy rains continuing, more caution is needed to prevent further loss of life.
