Water-related fatalities in Ukraine up 22% since start of year — State Emergency Service

Since the beginning of the year, there has been a 22% increase in the number of water-related deaths.

Oleksandr Khorunzhiy, Press Officer of the State Emergency Service, made this statement during a briefing at Media Center Ukraine.

 “894 people have died in the water since the beginning of the year. Big numbers, it’s about 22% more than last year,” he said.

According to Oleksandr Khorunzhiy, since the beginning of August alone, 61 people have died in the water.

The Spokesman of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine emphasized that the majority of water-related fatalities occur in areas not designated for swimming. He urged people to visit beaches, which local authorities have identified as suitable for swimming. These beaches have been surveyed, the water current speed assessed, and lifeguards are on duty. Additionally, infrastructure is in place to provide rapid assistance and save lives in case of emergencies.

Due to the increase in water-related accidents, particularly involving children, Oleksandr Khorunzhiy urged parents to explain to their children not to swim alone and to do so only in designated, safe locations.

He also emphasized that when in the water, it is prohibited to swim beyond buoys, stay in the water for more than 20 minutes to avoid hypothermia, jump into the water without knowing the depth, jump from bridges, swim near watercraft, or swim in water bodies alone.

Read more: https://mediacenter.org.ua/news