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Between 2020 and 2023, 55 children and young people were died in Portugal. Most were teenagers and were over 15 years old.
More than 50 children and young people died for drowning between 2020 and 2023, according to data from the Association for the Promotion of Children’s Security (APSI), which together with GNR has the drowning prevention campaign.
In a joint statement, APSI and the Republican National Guard (GNR) recall the campaign that began on June 16 and ends on September 30 to raise awareness of families to the importance of safety rules to be respected by water, namely, on the beaches, rivers, dams, pools or tanks.
According to APSI data, Between 2020 and 2023 55 children and young people died by drowning (14 in 2020, 12 by 2021.19 by 2022 and 10 in 2023, according to the figures of the National Institute of Statistics).
19 of the children who died by drowning had up to 4 yearsfour between 5 and 9, eight teenagers between 10 and 14 years and 24 young people between 15 and 19 years old.
According to APSI data, which has the basis of reported cases in the press, the pool These are the place where the most drowning happens, especially those of particular use.
“In general, the number of deaths and hospitalizations in children and young people following a drowning diminished in recent decades – From 28 to 10 in the case of deaths and from 49 to 10 in the case of hospitalizations (years 2002 and 2023 respectively) ”, says APSI.
However, Between 2020 and 2023 the average number of drowning deaths per year, rose to 14 (when 7.3 was the average predecessor triennium).
“This, associated with the largest number of cases of fatal and non -fatal drowning recorded in the press in the last five years, seems to indict, contrary to what has been happening, a trend In the number of drowning deaths, ”says the association.
APSI also states that in cases refered by 112 for CODO/INEM, which include diving accidents, there was an increase in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
In 2024, APSI registered 12 cases of drowning reported in the press and seven was fatal.
“The cases reported by the press in the last five years, namely with fatal outcome, have been high than in previous years. This may indicate an increase in cases of fatal drowning in the latest years ”is referred to in the report.
“Alarming”
Are conclusions “a bit alarming ”, Admitted Rosa Afonso, also from Apsi.
Rosa Saltra that from 2020 There was a substantial increase in the number of drowning deaths: “What was a positive standard Reverses in a very cruel waythat leaves us very worried ”.
“We passed an average that had been below the dozen several years ago, to an average of 14 victims a year,” he adds in.
The association’s head is noted that this climb “is not an exclusive Portuguese” is happening in a “very generalized ”.
Initially this increase was attributed to the pandemia: Closed swimming schools, committed children’s training, equipment that closed, less valences.
“But it takes wait Some time to confirm if this is a pattern to maintain, and if you have to act yesterday; Or if this can be reversed again, ”he explains.
The Association for the Promotion of Children’s Security recommended For parents an active surveillance with children, having barriers and seals around the pools, and children should always use buoys and clamps.
