One-and-a-Half-Year-Old Girl Drowns in Private Pool in Ashkelon

A tragic drowning occurred Thursday afternoon in Ashkelon when a one-and-a-half-year-old girl lost her life after falling into a private pool at her home. Emergency services received the initial report around 5:05 p.m. Upon arrival, paramedics found the toddler unconscious, without pulse or breathing. Paramedics Moti Shuv, Roee Lasri, and Gabriel Kotzarenko performed advanced resuscitation efforts including chest compressions, artificial respiration, and life-saving medications. The child was rushed to Barzilai Medical Center in critical condition, with resuscitation efforts continuing en route and upon arrival.

Despite the intensive medical intervention by Magen David Adom paramedics and hospital staff, the prolonged oxygen deprivation caused irreversible damage. The hospital declared the toddler dead shortly after arrival, devastating her family. Medical and safety officials reiterated that drownings can occur within seconds, especially among young children, even in shallow water. They emphasized the critical importance of constant supervision near any water source and the need for parents to fence pools and maintain uninterrupted vigilance.

This incident adds to a series of recent drownings in private pools across Israel, highlighting ongoing risks during the summer months. Experts from Magen David Adom's "Project 0" campaign stress that brain death can occur within four minutes without oxygen and urge caregivers to learn basic resuscitation techniques. Authorities continue to warn that brief moments of distraction can lead to irreversible tragedies, underscoring the vital need for heightened awareness around water safety for toddlers.