Russian boy, 2, dies after getting stung by box jellyfish at Langkawi beach

A two-year-old Russian boy died after being stung by a box jellyfish at Cenang Beach in Langkawi, Malaysia on Nov. 15.

The toddler, named Vladimir, fought to stay alive for four days, but passed away on the morning of Nov. 19 in hospital, Malaysian media reported.

Doctors pronounced him dead at 9:46am, from complications owing to the jellyfish sting.

Stung in shallow water near shore: Dad

The boy's father, Nikita Iakubanets, 32, described Vladimir as a "strong boy" who battled for his life in hospital.

The incident happened on the second day of the family's trip to Malaysia, when Nikita, his wife and son were swimming at Cenang Beach, Bernama reported.

The boy was reportedly in shallow water near the shore when he got stung.

"He suddenly cried out. My wife took him out of the water and handed him to me before going to get a cloth to clean his leg," Nikita said, as quoted by New Straits Times.

However, their son suddenly stopped breathing.

Nikita tried giving him cardio-pulmonary resuscitation as other tourists came over to help.

At the beach, the first responders applied vinegar on the sting before sending them to a clinic, who referred them to a hospital in Langkawi.

Died in hospital

Antivenom was transported from Penang to the hospital.

However, the next day, the toddler was sent to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Star, Kedah where he eventually passed away.

Nikita thanked medical teams at the Langkawi and Alor Star hospitals for their efforts, saying they did everything they could.

The couple hopes their son's death would serve as a reminder of the risks posed by jellyfish.

"We believe this was the purpose of his life — to save others, to prevent future tragedies. Vladimir was very kind, very smart. We were a happy family," Nikita said.

His wife added that "our son is our hero" and "our little angel".

It was the family's first visit to Malaysia.

The couple plans to cremate Vladimir and bring his ashes back to Russia.

'Very moderate' box jellyfish presence in Langkawi: authorities

In relation to the case, Kedah Fisheries Department director Sukri Deris said on Nov. 19 that in 2025, box jellyfish in Langkawi have been detected at a "very moderate level" but not at a scale that would completely halt recreational activities.

"Nevertheless, their presence is sufficient to pose a danger to activities in these waters, whether recreational or other commercial activities such as fishing," Sukri Deris said, as quoted by The Star.

Sukri Deris speculated that box jellyfish, typically found in waters around Australia and Southeast Asia, may have been carried into Langkawi waters by the monsoon transition.

He also noted that changing sea current patterns and heavy rainfall from land could be pushing the species closer to shore.

As such, continuous public announcements will be made to raise awareness of the dangers posed by jellyfish.

More about box jellyfish

According to the National Parks Board (NParks), box jellyfish, which have been spotted in Singapore waters, have "highly venomous stings that can cause fatalities".

Those who have been stung by jellyfish are advised to get to shore immediately and seek immediate medical attention.

It is not advised to rub the wound or attempt to remove the tentacles with bare hands.

Instead, first responders should flood the sting with seawater or vinegar before removing the tentacles using a towel or tweezers.

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