2 days ago
Greek authorities step up information campaign to combat drownings
Greece and the water are almost synonymous.
At more than 13,600 kilometres, including the mainland and hundreds of islands, Greece has the longest coastline in the Mediterranean basin. Residents of the country are expected to know and respect safety rules for swimming.
However, nearly 400 people drown every year in Greece. The vast majority die at sea, but some also drown in swimming pools.
According to last year's figures, 254 of the 388 reported drownings were among people aged 70 or older. Around 68 per cent of the fatalities were men.
Drowning is also the second-leading cause of death among children up to the age of 14, with the lack of a lifeguard being a key factor.
In the last five years, the only decrease in deaths was reported in 2020, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, when few tourists visited the Greek islands.
Now, Greece's public health agency is working with the nongovernmental organisation Safe Water Sports to educate the public on rules to follow before entering the water, in an effort to reduce the number of fatalities.
Authorities launched an informative commercial that mainly targets the elderly.
Greek authorities also often deliver courses to citizens on first aid and resuscitation, given the first few minutes after swimmers are pulled from the water are the most crucial.
It's an initiative that other countries may want to watch. According to the European Child Safety Alliance, each year approximately 50,000 European citizens are injured while participating in water sports or boating activities.
