Drowning Incidents in Sweden Reach Alarming Levels in Summer 2023
Sweden faces a dramatic increase in drowning incidents during summer 2023, with the highest figures since 2018.
Key Points
- • 14 people drowned in August 2023, up from 12 in August 2022.
- • Total drownings from May to August reached 63, the highest since 2018.
- • July saw particularly high numbers with 31 fatalities reported.
- • Concerns grow over safety in water during the summer months.
Summer 2023 has seen a concerning rise in drowning incidents across Sweden, with 14 people reported to have drowned in August alone. This unfortunate statistic comes from preliminary figures released by the Swedish Lifesaving Society and indicates an increase compared to the 12 drownings recorded in August 2022. Overall, from May through August 2023, Sweden experienced a total of 63 drownings, marking the highest total since 2018.
The month of July was particularly tragic, accounting for a staggering 31 deaths in various bodies of water, including seas, lakes, and swimming pools. These figures underscore a worrying trend during the hot summer months, which typically see a spike in swimming-related activities and, consequently, drowning risks.