An 8-year-old child drowned Saturday in the Magdalena River in northwest Colombia, during a ”challenge” game with friends, reported Radio Caracol.
The game — which took place in the municipality of Puerto Berrio, in the northwestern Colombian department of Antioquia — saw the young boy jump into the water with a stone strapped to his feet, while his friends watched.
The aim was to escape the noose while holding his breath, but the boy was unable to free himself in time and drowned. His friends were unable to help him due to strong currents in the river.
The commander of Puerto Berrio’s Fire Department, Captain Carlos Vega, confirmed that the body of the child was found in the water at 7PM on Saturday night.
Captain Vega added that this high-risk game was common among children in the area, and involved spending time underwater and demonstrating their ability to get free of the rope with a weight attached to their feet.
The child was due to be buried at 3PM on Monday in the Puerto Berrio cemetery.