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22 Sudanese children drown in boat on the way to school

In this Wednesday, April 15, 2015 file photo, Sudanese fishermen sail through river algae while fishing on the Nile River on the outskirts of Khartoum, Sudan. Egypt's pro-government media is vilifying neighboring Sudan over its expanding ties with Turkey and Qatar, Cairo's regional nemesis, saying the three are conspiring against Egypt. | AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy, File

Officials are searching for the bodies of 22 Sudanese children who drowned as they traveled by boat to school on the Nile. Reports indicate some sort of engine failure in turbulent waters, resulting in the sinking of the boat.

While headlines are typically dominated with the comings and goings of politicians, violence abroad or some viral epidemic, more “regular” dangers often plague societies around the globe. Commutes are not always completely safe – Bangladesh has seen massive protests recently due to just this reason. Other mundane, daily aspects of life in many countries, America included in some respects, are dangerous for adults and children alike.

Bangladesh has recently seen heavy demonstrations – which have since only grown and sparked controversy from the harsh government responses – sparked off by the deaths of two students who were hit by a bus, driven by an unlicensed driver trying to rush to a spot to beat another driver to it. This was not an isolated incident, rather it was the straw that broke the camel’s back, and many students took to the streets to protest the horrifically low traffic laws throughout Bangladesh.

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Officials are searching for the bodies of 22 Sudanese children who drowned as they traveled by boat to school on the Nile. Reports indicate some sort of engine failure in turbulent waters, resulting in the sinking of the boat.

While headlines are typically dominated with the comings and goings of politicians, violence abroad or some viral epidemic, more “regular” dangers often plague societies around the globe. Commutes are not always completely safe – Bangladesh has seen massive protests recently due to just this reason. Other mundane, daily aspects of life in many countries, America included in some respects, are dangerous for adults and children alike.

Bangladesh has recently seen heavy demonstrations – which have since only grown and sparked controversy from the harsh government responses – sparked off by the deaths of two students who were hit by a bus, driven by an unlicensed driver trying to rush to a spot to beat another driver to it. This was not an isolated incident, rather it was the straw that broke the camel’s back, and many students took to the streets to protest the horrifically low traffic laws throughout Bangladesh.

Departing from commuting dangers – Cape Town, South Africa is currently in the midst of a heated debate in regards to sanitation of their own schools. Two children recently drowned in “pit toilets” – which are exactly what they sound like. With 4,000 such toilets, not only are they a hazard for drowning, but they pose an obvious threat to sanitation and basic health standards across the board.

In many places, it’s simply dangerous to learn. Boko Haram has conducted several mass kidnappings in places of education, during one instance in Nigeria they took 110 schoolgirls – a decrease from their 270 in 2014. The Islamic State is most likely responsible for the recent suicide bombing, attacking young adults (reportedly post-high school age) as they sought to continue their education. Going to school can be severely dangerous in many places in the world.

In many of these places, authorities and private citizens are working to mitigate the dangers of something as “normal” as going to school, which for many places is not normal at all.

Author’s note: These instances are not meant to promote fear mongering, rather to spread awareness on the subject at hand in the hopes that people will continue to combat these problems, as they already are.

About Luke Ryan View All Posts

Luke Ryan is a SOFREP journalist in Tampa, FL. He is a former Team Leader from 3rd Ranger Battalion, having served four deployments to Afghanistan. He grew up overseas, the son of foreign aid workers, and lived in Pakistan for nine years and Thailand for five. He has a degree in English Literature and loves to write on his own as well, working on several personal projects.

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