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 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 first-responders unprepared and unable to offer effective help and treatment.
This blog has been warning about this awful eventuality for years, and years, and years.
What is especially galling is the article states, "Kedah Fisheries Department director Sukri Deris said box jellyfish cases are rare on Langkawi island."
This is NOT true.
And even if it was, does that mean you do absolutely nothing?
It also says, "A study is underway into any unusual jellyfish movements along the coast and tourists have been urged to exercise extra caution."
A study is underway?
It seems a 'study' has been underway for over 15-years.
And this is NOT 'unusual jellyfish movements' - Langkawi and Pantai Chenang are box jellyfish habitat!
The Captain also stated that box jellyfish were seldom found in Langkawi. Toeing the line it seems. Enough said.
They have known about the existence of lethal box jellyfish here for decades. It is well documented, but they continue to be in denial - deliberate or otherwise - and the grave cost of their contempt is another cruel, devastating and unnecessary death.
Shame on them!
Neighbouring Thailand to their credit heeded the warnings a long time ago and have implemented a box jellyfish safety and awareness prevention and treatment system that by any measure is successful.
Why not Malaysia?
Well, here is what a Malaysian expert thinks. Dr Muhamad Na’im Ab Razak is a fellow in Emergency and Trauma Medicine, Wilderness and Extreme Medicine, specialising in Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine and Marine Toxinology, particularly venomous jellyfish envenomation. Authorities must listen and act!
Our hearts and deepest condolences go out to the Iakubanets family.
Langkawi Box Jellyfish Omission
Photo credits: East2West, TRP, The Star
Also a 7 year old child unfortunately died on Langkawi in August after Box Jellyfish sting, according to a malaysian article. I would really be afraid to step foot in those waters without a stinger net.
ReplyDelete"District Civil Defence Officer Captain Khairul Afzan Md Yasin said there had been 23 cases of jellyfish stings in Langkawi in 2025, including a seven-year-old who died in August and two-year-old Vladimir."
Thanks. There is some confusion here as it was a 7-year old that fell victim to a box jellyfish sting in Sabah in August 2025. https://www.boxjellyfish.online/2025/08/a-sabah-beach-sadly-scene-of-another.html
DeleteThank you Blog Boxie for your reply and transparency. I myself would really love to travel to Southeast Asia to a relatively safe (if there is any?) beach destinations where the risk of box jellyfish and irukandji is the lowest, but i wonder if there is any such destination. Interestingly, ive never heard of Box Jellyfish in Bali and i would love to go there, but i am still not certain. Do you maybe know if there could be? The East Coast beaches of Nusa Dua, Sanur, etc. There seems to be a mangrove near the airport which concerns me but i still never heard of boxies there.
DeleteIn terms of box jellyfish habitat, Bali is seemingly safe. It is very difficult to get info from Indonesia. There is clear reported evidence of a dangerous box jellyfish presence through areas of the archipelago, but not in Bali. All forms of media have been silent about them, so it's a fair assumption they are not a problem there. No guarantees, but it's reasonable to say that you will be fine. Unfortunately for you, SE Asian beaches mostly come with a degree of risk. I'd expect Nusa Dua and Sanur to be relatively safe. Go and enjoy Bali!
DeleteThank you very much!
Delete