The government has been urged to allocate more funds to fence off water hazards such as ponds, reservoirs and streams, especially in the countryside, after a string of fatal accidents involving children.

At least 21 youngsters have drowned in rural areas since June 20, including at a village in Nanchang, Jiangxi province, where two brothers, aged 5 and 10, and their 9-year-old sister died on June 26.

As in most other cases, onlookers said there were no barriers around the water to prevent children from gaining access.