14 drowning deaths in June

The month of June in Finland marked the death of 14 people due to drowning. Provisional data show that 49 people have drowned since the beginning of the year, a number the national lifesaving association says could be lower if more Finnish residents wore life jackets when boating.

The Finnish Swimming Teaching and Lifesaving Federation (SUH) reports that 14 people drowned in June 2016, 11 of which were men and nine of which were killed over the Midsummer weekend.

Five of the drownings occurred due to marine traffic accidents and seven while swimming. The specifics of two of the cases are unclear.

SUH says marine traffic accidents that result in drowning often occur in familiar waters, sometimes close to the shore.

“The majority could be avoided if people would wear life jackets whenever they are near water,” says SUH’s director Kristiina Heinonen.

So far this year, the numbers match those of the previous year closely. In June 2015, 13 people in Finland drowned, bringing the total number of victims from January to June in 2015 to 46.

Official drowning statistics are calculated by Statistics Finland each year, but because of the long delay before they are released, SUH provides provisional information monthly based on newspaper articles.

Established in 1956, the SUH federation seeks to improve the swimming skills of the Finnish populace and reduce the number of fatal drowning incidents with the aid of education and instruction.
Every year it organises nationwide campaigns to promote safety in and around the water and ice. This summer’s campaign urged Finns to wear a life jacket and avoid alcohol: “Be wise on the water”.


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