A 4-year-old boy is alleged to have drowned yesterday afternoon at the Waitana River in Tailevu.

Police say the victim resides in Khalsa Road, Nasinu and had accompanied his mother for a swim when the alleged incident occurred.

They say while the two were swimming the mother discovered her son missing and following a search found him lying motionless near the river bank.

The drowning death toll currently stands at 7 compared to 8 for the same period last year.