A three-year-old Australian girl tragically drowned in a private villa pool in Kerobokan, Bali, on Thursday, 16 January 2025, during a family holiday.
Despite her father’s efforts to pull her from the water and rush her to BIMC Hospital, she was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Investigation Underway
Police in Badung have launched an investigation.
According to Ipda I Putu Sukarma, a spokesperson for the Badung Police, villa staff were initially unaware of the incident until receiving a message from the family.
“The staff received a message from the parents stating that their daughter had drowned and that they were at the hospital,” Sukarma said on Saturday, 18 January 2025.
A staff member named Rian had seen the toddler standing near the shallow end of the pool earlier in the day, but came back two hours later only to encounter the toddler’s family relatives packing their belongings to bring to the hospital.
The toddler’s father contacted villa staff afterward to request additional time to check out, still reeling from the tragedy. The family later informed staff they were still at the hospital but left the villa later that evening, leaving the keys in a dropbox.
Lack of Pool Safety Laws in Bali
Australian news outlet News.com.au wrote that, unlike Australia, where strict pool fencing laws have significantly reduced child drowning rates, Bali has no such regulations. This disparity has drawn renewed scrutiny in light of recent tragedies.
Royal Life Saving Australia CEO Justin Scarr previously emphasized the effectiveness of Australian fencing laws in protecting children.
“We’re very privileged and lucky to have very robust pool fencing regulations in Australia, but those laws don’t apply to many countries overseas — including Indonesia,” Scarr said.
Second Child Drowning in Bali in Three Months
Janna’s death is the second drowning of an Australian child in Bali in recent months. On 19 October 2024, 14-month-old Khyden James drowned in a villa pool in Kerobokan, just a few kilometers from Seminyak.
The recent incidents have highlighted the risks for families traveling to destinations without stringent pool safety standards. Scarr reiterated the importance of parental vigilance and pool safety awareness when abroad.
Remembering Janna
Janna’s family, who described her as a beloved child with a radiant smile, plans to bring her back to Sydney for a funeral. Loved ones shared their grief, saying, “Her memory will live on forever in the countless moments she gifted us.
