Alarm Bells Are Ringing in Water: The Most Serious Report of Drowning Cases in Portugal in the Last 10 Years

We all love to leave ourselves on a river bank or in the ocean waves to cool off in the scorching heat of summer. However, there is heartbreaking data on the table that shows that things are not going well in the field this year.

The latest report released by the Portuguese Lifeguards Federation Drowning Observatory (FEPONS) shows that 92 people lost their lives in the water in the first seven months of this year. This figure is the highest level seen in the same period of the last 10 years. In the same period last year, 80 people lost their lives; In other words, there is a very serious increase in casualties of 15%. Even the 88 deaths in 2022, which is considered a record, have been exceeded this year.

Where is the Real Danger? Rivers claim more lives than seas

Most of us are afraid of the rough waves of the ocean, but the facts on the ground paint a completely different picture. According to statistics, more than two-thirds of this year's deaths occurred in rivers and the sea:

Rivers: Tops the list with 35 deaths. Hidden currents and sudden deepening under seemingly calm fresh waters continue to hurt.

Sea: It comes right after rivers with 27 cases.

Other Areas: The danger is not limited to open waters. Individual deaths were recorded: 6 in dams, 6 in home pools, 5 in wells, 4 on flooded roads and facility pools and water tanks.

There is a very clear lesson that the numbers show us: Any place with water can turn into a danger with a little carelessness.

Swimming Season Continues, It is Essential to Take Precautions

The official swimming season in Portugal, which starts on April 15 at Porto Moniz beach in Madeira, continues until October 31. There are 673 designated official swimming areas across the country.

It is vital to choose spots with lifeguards wherever we go, not to lose sight of children even for a second by the pool at home, and not to be fooled by the deceptive calmness of rivers.

Source: DN / Lusa, Portuguese Lifeguards Federation Drowning Monitoring Center (FEPONS)