Drowning deaths in Europe at their lowest since 2011: strategies in place
Drowning deaths in the EU down to the lowest since 2011: thanks to information and rescue
by Davide Madeddu (Il Sole 24 Ore), Francesca Barca (Voxeurope, France) and Lola García-Ajofrín (El Confidencial, Spain)
5' min read
5' min read
The downward trend, this time, is a good sign but, as experts point out, 'more needs to be done'. Drownings are falling among beaches and swimming pools. This is due to more information, but also to the rescue and care services. Figures compiled by Eurostat say that, in 2022, there were 4,810 drowning and diving deaths in the EU, 194 fewer than in 2021, when there were 5,004, a decrease of 3.9 per cent.
The share of drowning and diving deaths in all accidental deaths also decreased slightly, from 3.1 per cent in 2021 to 2.8 per cent in 2022. This is the lowest number since 2011, when data collection began, and when "drowning and diving deaths accounted for 4.2 per cent of all accidental deaths". In the ranking, the highest number of drowning and diving deaths was reported in France with 784 victims, Germany with 542 victims, followed by Poland with 535, Romania with 472 and Spain with 449 . The lowest numbers in the EU were recorded in Luxembourg with 1 victim, Malta with 3, Cyprus with 13 and Slovenia with 25. 'As in previous years, drowning deaths were more common among men than among women,' reads the Istat report. 'In 2022, this was the case in all EU countries. However, in Slovenia 14 men, 11 women, the difference was less substantial than in other EU countries. In Luxembourg, the only victim was the only one'.
The Italian case
.There is the Italian case where the phenomenon is particularly felt by institutions. It is no coincidence that the Iss, the Higher Institute of Health, has partnered with nine regions (Friuli Venezia Giulia, Liguria, Molise, Piedmont, Sardinia, Tuscany, Umbria, Veneto, and Sicily) to carry out an awareness campaign. The starting point is the fact that 'more than half of all drownings in swimming pools concern children up to the age of 12, and in general of the approximately 330 people who die on average each year for this reason, 12% are under the age of 18'. The aim of the initiative, as pointed out by Andrea Piccioli, director general of the Iss, is 'to establish a correct relationship with water, which is fundamental for the growth of our children. With some attention, we can reduce the risks that are inevitably connected to this element'.
The death toll
.In Italy, an average of around 328 people of all ages die every year from drowning. "In the five years from 2017 to 2021 (Istat data), 1642 people died of drowning. Of these, 12.5% (i.e. 206) were aged 0-19 years. This is about 41 deaths each year involving children or adolescents, with males accounting for a conspicuous 81% of all drowning deaths in paediatric age," the Iss emphasises. "The mortality rate is 0.4/100,000 inhabitants. The cases increase with age, although not in a linear manner (the 1-4 age group has more cases than the 5-9 age group), until adolescents, who alone account for 53.4% of all drownings from 0 to 19 years of age".
In this scenario, the behaviour of both children and parents or carers is important. "Very often the red flag that waves in the event of rough seas is ignored," emphasise the lifeguards of the Gulf of Lion stations in south-western Sardinia, "and both youngsters and adults commit imprudent acts that force us to intervene to bring them back to safety. It would be good if advice and rules were respected instead'.
