Suio Terme (Latina), April 18, 2026 – A tragic incident occurred on Saturday afternoon at Terme Vescine in Suio Terme, Castelforte, Latina province, where a 7-year-old boy from Rome drowned in a swimming pool. The child was on vacation with his family at one of the area’s most modern thermal parks when the tragedy unfolded around 4:00 PM.
Emergency Response and Unsuccessful Resuscitation Efforts
Upon receiving the alarm, an ambulance and a medical car were immediately dispatched to the scene, followed by a Pegaso air ambulance. Despite the tireless efforts of medical personnel, who attempted resuscitation for several minutes, the young boy could not be saved.
Investigation Points to Possible Drain Suction
Carabinieri from the Formia Company have launched an investigation into the incident. The leading hypothesis suggests that the child may have been sucked and held at the bottom of the pool by a drain, preventing him from surfacing. The boy’s body has been seized and placed at the disposal of the judicial authority, with the Cassino prosecutor’s office coordinating the investigation. The Carabinieri of the provincial command of Latina will be responsible for ascertaining the exact circumstances and any potential liabilities of the thermal facility, which is considered one of the most advanced in the southern part of Latina province.
Previous Drowning Incidents Highlight Safety Concerns
This tragic event follows other recent drowning incidents in Italy. Less than a week ago, a 12-year-old boy drowned in a hydromassage pool at a hotel in Pennabilli, near Rimini, after reportedly getting stuck in a suction pipe. An autopsy confirmed this initial conclusion, and three individuals – the director, the administrator of the owning company, and the maintenance manager – are under investigation for manslaughter.
Two years prior, an 8-year-old boy named Stephan drowned in a thermal pool in Cretone, Rome province, after being sucked into a drainage pipe. Employees were reportedly emptying the main pool of the tourist complex when the child fell in and was pulled towards the drainage system.
Drowning Statistics in Italy
According to the Ministry of Health’s 2026 Report, coordinated with the Superior Institute of Health, there were 604 drowning deaths in Italy during the 2024-2025 biennium (263 in 2024 and 341 in 2025). Approximately 80% of these victims were male, and about 23% of drownings involved children and young people up to 24 years of age.
This latest incident in Suio Terme underscores the critical importance of stringent safety measures and constant vigilance in all aquatic facilities, particularly those frequented by children. Authorities are expected to conduct a thorough examination of the Terme Vescine facility to ensure compliance with all safety regulations and to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
