Langkawi: Two-Year Old Tourist Dead From Box Jellyfish
Langkawi, Malaysia has long been a hotspot for tourists and box jellyfish, and once again, this high-risk combination proved to be a deathtrap. Sad news today from the notorious Pantai Chenang - where serious stings including fatalities have occurred with grim regularity - have surfaced of the tragic death of a two-year old boy. Holidaying with Russian parents Nikita and Olga Iakubanets, Vladimir, who was affectionately known as Vova, died while the young family was enjoying a day at the beach. The Iakubanets had only arrived in Malaysia the previous day and were doing what every visiting family would do without any idea of the danger lurking in the shallow waters of Pantai Chenang. The circumstances of little Vova's excruciatingly painful death are unfortunately common: playing in the sandy shallows, stepping into the tentacles of a near-invisible box jellyfish, screaming in agony, terrified parents not knowing what to do, the child losing vital signs and locals and f...