Fewer drowning fatalities this summer

The city of OsloOslo City.Photo: Norway Today media

50 people have died as a result of drowning so far this year. That’s a decrease of seven people compared to  the same time last year.

In July  six people drowned, according to figures from the Norwegian People’s Aid, which has never previously recorded so few drownings in midsummer as they have done this year.

– These are pleasant numbers and a it’s trend that we hope will continue over time,  Jon Halvorsen, head of the unit for rescue and first aid in the Norwegian People’s Aid, says.
All the victims were men, and statistics show that this year, just like last year, people falling into the sea from the shore, was the cause of over half of the deaths by drowning in Norway.

– Many people spend their summer days on or near the water. Statistics show that most accidents unfortunately happen when people fall into the water from the shore.Because of this, we  wish that many more use people start using life jackets whenever they are  at the pier or the dock, not only when they are out in a boat, Halvorsen says.

 

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today           ,