Child falls into Mitrovica reservoir — rescued by a passer-by
A child slipped and fell into the Mitrovica reservoir but was pulled out alive thanks to the swift action of a passer-by, who suffered a hand injury during the rescue.
MITROVICA, April 26, 2026 — A young child fell into the Mitrovica reservoir on Sunday morning and was rescued by a passer-by who happened to be near the scene. According to the Kosovo Police, the child was pulled out alive and immediately taken to Mitrovica Regional Hospital for medical checks.
The incident has shaken local residents, who have long called for protective fencing and warning signs around the reservoir. The lake serves as a water-supply source for part of the population but has also become a popular spot where children play during hot afternoons.
Missing signage and fencing
The Municipality of Mitrovica has announced an inspection of protective infrastructure around the reservoir and said it will consider installing security cameras. Residents are sceptical, however, recalling that similar demands followed previous incidents but yielded no concrete results.
The citizen who intervened to save the child suffered a hand injury during the rescue but left the scene after providing first aid. The child family publicly thanked him and called for the case to serve as a warning to local authorities.
A spokesperson for the Kosovo Police stated that “the case has been registered and teams responded immediately,” adding that the full circumstances of how the child entered the reservoir area are being investigated.
Children-rights activists have reacted by demanding a national awareness campaign about the dangers of open-water areas and mandatory swimming lessons in primary schools. According to data from the National Institute of Public Health, drowning remains one of the leading causes of accidental child deaths during summer months.
The municipality has also said a working group on water-infrastructure safety will be convened within the next 30 days, with rapid legislative measures to be proposed to the relevant ministries.
Source: Telegrafi, Koha.