Narrow escape by child prompts safety warning at Kīlauea
After an event that ended happily, though it was almost a disaster, the authorities of the national park in Hawaii issued a warning for tourists. A little boy nearly fell off the slope of an active volcano.
The park reported that the boy wandered away from his family and ran straight towards the 120-metre cliff of the Kīlauea volcano. The child was just 30 centimetres away from the edge of the slope.
"His mother, screaming, managed to grab him," park representatives reported. Park ranger Jessica Ferracane, who witnessed the event, told the BBC that she hopes sharing the details of the incident in the media will help "prevent future tragedies."
On the edge of the volcano: The boy almost fell into the active volcano
Kīlauea, a volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii, is one of the most active in the world. It erupts regularly, most recently on December 23, 2024.
The volcanic eruptions in Hawaii do not significantly impact human settlements. This geological phenomenon can be admired by visiting the national park.
The incident reported by park authorities happened on Christmas Day. In a restricted part of the park, tourists—mostly families with children—had gathered to watch the lava.
Park rangers posted on social media that everyone should supervise children on the trail. "Those who ignore the warnings, walk past closure signs, lose track of loved ones, and sneak into closed areas to get a closer look do so at great risk," Ferracane emphasized.
The ranger added that the incident during the holiday occurred in an area with a view of the caldera—a large volcanic crater. If the boy had slipped down the slope, he would not have survived the fall.
