Summer Vacation Begins: Most Drowning Deaths Occur in Late July

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety has warned that drowning fatalities occur most frequently during late July, when summer vacations and holiday seasons begin, urging compliance with safety guidelines on the 21st.

It emphasized the importance of following basic safety rules, such as wearing life jackets.

According to statistics released by the ministry, a total of 112 people died from drowning incidents between 2020 and 2024. Among these, the highest number of deaths, 31, occurred in late July. This suggests that accidents concentrate during the peak of the summer vacation season.

In terms of locations of accidents, the highest percentage was in rivers, with 39 deaths (35%), followed by valleys with 33, beaches with 25, and seaside locations with 15. This indicates that the risk of accidents is significant in natural water environments.

Main Causes of Drowning Fatalities: Lack of Life Jacket Use

An examination of the main causes of drowning fatalities reveals that the leading cause, "failure to wear life jackets and other safety oversights," accounted for 41 deaths (37%). This was followed by "inexperience in swimming" with 38 deaths and "drunk swimming" with 19 deaths.

This suggests that adhering to basic safety rules can prevent a significant number of accidents.

Looking at the data by age group, the highest number of fatalities occurred among individuals in their 50s and teenagers, with 22 and 21 deaths, respectively. Particularly concerning is the fact that there were also 7 fatalities among children under 10 years old.

This emphasizes the need for strict supervision and caution by guardians during children's water activities.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety also provided guidelines for preventing drowning incidents. When engaging in water activities, it is crucial to wear a life jacket that fits one's body shape, and children should always be accompanied by an adult. Additionally, one must never enter areas with deep water or rapid currents, and must follow the directions of lifeguards at water activity areas.

Swimming after consuming alcohol is strictly prohibited. If someone is found submerged, it is essential to alert those nearby by shouting loudly and to call 119 immediately.

In rescue situations, it is safer to use the safety equipment available on-site rather than jumping directly into the water. With the peak summer swimming season approaching, the Ministry's urging of safety guidelines is seen as a timely measure.

Image Source: Reference images for understanding the article / gettyimagesbank, provided by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety