A 9-year-old girl drowned in a water drain in Chirca village of Anenii Noi district. According to preliminary information, the child, along with two other boys, got stuck in the canal while trying to retrieve a soccer ball. Two of the minors were rescued by a passer-by, IPN reports.

According to the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, the canal is near a football field. The children dropped the ball in the water, and three of them, including the 9-year-old girl, tried to retrieve it. When they got stuck, other minors called out to a woman who was nearby for help.

Th woman managed to save the two boys stuck in the canal, but was unable to help the 9-year-old girl. Rescuers recovered the lifeless body of the minor from a depth of 2.5 meters.

Rescuers call on parents and guardians to strictly monitor the children and not allow them to play or remain unsupervised in dangerous places, such as the banks of water pools, rooftops, wells, water storage canals, bridges or building sites.

Adults are also urged to explain the safety rules to children and encourage them to report any risk situation to prevent such tragedies. In case of exceptional situations, the emergency number 112 shall be called.