Two children wounded by gun found in forest near Banja Luka

Two minors were injured in a firearm accident in the village of Prijakovci near Banja Luka. According to information gathered so far, the children were playing in the forest when they came across a discarded weapon. At one point the gun went off, and the two minors were wounded.

The Banja Luka Police Administration said it was notified of the incident on June 10 at around 4:30 p.m. Officers went to the scene and took measures within their remit. In keeping with the protection of minors, the identities of the injured children have not been released, and only the basic circumstances have been made public.

The minors were given medical assistance straight away. The Police Administration stated that the wounded minors were receiving medical care and were treated at the University Clinical Centre of Republika Srpska. The further course of their treatment is in the hands of doctors, depending on the type and severity of the injuries.

How did the accident with the gun from the forest happen?

Based on what is known so far, the gun that went off had been discarded in the forest, at the spot where the children were playing. Cases in which minors come across a discarded or hidden firearm are especially dangerous, since children as a rule cannot judge the risk or handle such an object safely.

The Banja Luka Police Administration said it is taking measures to establish all the circumstances of the incident. That includes the on-site investigation, gathering information and determining where the weapon came from, as well as how it ended up in that location. Only once the checks are complete will it be known who the gun belonged to and whether anyone bears responsibility for leaving it accessible to children.

The duty juvenile prosecutor of the District Prosecutor’s Office in Banja Luka was also informed of the incident. In cases like this the prosecutor directs the work of the police and decides on further steps, particularly when the affected parties are minors. Because the injured are children, the proceedings are conducted with additional measures to protect their identity and interests.

Why does a discarded gun in nature pose a danger to children?

A firearm left unattended, hidden or discarded in the open remains a lasting danger until it is removed. Children playing outdoors often see such an object as something interesting rather than a deadly device. That is exactly why accidents like this happen suddenly and without warning.

Safety experts have long warned that every weapon must be kept locked away, separated from ammunition and out of the reach of minors. When that rule is broken, the consequences can be serious and, at times, tragic. The case in Prijakovci shows how quickly play in nature can turn into an accident.

For now, the outcome of the checks being carried out by police and prosecutors is awaited, along with information on the condition of the injured children. Could stricter control over the keeping and disposal of weapons prevent accidents like this?