Kid suffered electric shock during sports event in Uralsk

Shocking News from Uralsk: 9-Year-Old Boy Critical After Electrical Mishap

Yesterday, April 30, was a heart-wrenching day in Uralsk. Tragedy struck during playtime when a 9-year-old boy received an electric shock. And it's not the first of its kind, as such incidents have occurred elsewhere, too.

The grim incident happened close to house No. 82 on Chagano-Naberezhnaya Street. Eyewitnesses reported that the boy's ball got stuck on electrical wires, leading him to climb onto the roof of an electrical substation to retrieve it. Words can't describe the shocking consequences—he was electrocuted.

As of now, the child is fighting for his life at the regional children's multi-profile hospital, with a critical condition. According to the West Kazakhstan Oblast Health Department, the boy has 95% burns, fourth-degree burns, leaving his situation precarious.

Police are investigating the cause of the horrific incident and have opened a case. An investigation is underway, hoping to unravel the events that led to this tragedy.

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated event. Last summer, a child in the Almaty region lost his life after touching a stray wire on the ground. Police launched an investigation, and eyewitnesses later provided valuable details. In October, another boy was hospitalized in Almaty after receiving a similar shock from a fence.

In light of this, it's crucial to know how to provide first aid to an electrocuted individual. The official website of the MCHS RK suggests the following steps:- Attempt to turn off the electricity.- Never touch the person with electric trauma—you could also get electrocuted.- If the person faints, loses consciousness, or exhibits symptoms like dizziness, headaches, or heart pain, get them medical attention immediately. Their condition may suddenly deteriorate, potentially leading to collapse and heart attack.- In severe cases, if the injured person is unconscious, begin resuscitation measures, such as artificial respiration (mouth-to-mouth) and chest compressions.

The consequences of not taking proper precautions can be devastating. Let's remember this heart-wrenching incident and ensure we take care to minimize these risks in the future. Electrical safety is everyone's responsibility.

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On a Brighter NoteGovernment reports and health ministry records would provide specific data on electrical shock incidents in Kazakhstan. However, considering the global context, here are a few recommendations to promote electrical safety:- Mandate tamper-resistant receptacles (TRRs) in all new constructions and schools, aligning with global child safety standards.- Audit public spaces (parks, schools) for exposed wiring or outdated electrical systems.- Integrate electrical safety into school curricula and community training programs.

Broadening our focus beyond Kazakhstan, it's important to note that underdeveloped regions, like the DRC, often face challenges that exacerbate the risks of unsafe housing or electrical systems. Meanwhile, studies on ECMO cases demonstrate the severe health consequences resulting from preventable accidents. Incorporating electrical safety measures into holistic child protection programs, like those under UNICEF’s NDC 3.0 climate resilience initiatives, could save lives and prevent future tragedies.

[1] UNICEF (2021). Regional Overview of Children's Environment and Climate Change Adaptation, Europe and Central Asia. [5] The World Bank (2017). Nutrition Country Profiles: Democratic Republic of the Congo.

On the day of April 30, in Uralsk, a 9-year-old boy was electrocuted after climbing onto an electrical substation's roof to retrieve his ball that had gotten stuck on electrical wires.
Currently, the boy is receiving critical care at the regional children's multi-profile hospital, having sustained 95% burns, fourth-degree burns.
This tragic accident has led police to open an investigation and is a grim reminder of the accident that occurred last summer in the Almaty region, where a child lost his life after touching a stray wire.
To prevent such accidents, it's essential to learn proper first aid for electrocuted individuals and promote electrical safety measures, such as the use of tamper-resistant receptacles and regular audits of public spaces for exposed wiring or outdated electrical systems.
The international community, including organizations like UNICEF, should also prioritize electrical safety as part of holistic child protection programs in underdeveloped regions worldwide, where a lack of proper electrical systems and housing can exacerbate the risks of accidents.