TEHRAN – The number of persons drowned since the beginning of the current Iranian calendar year (March 19) has increased by 15 percent compared to the same period in the previous year.

During the mentioned period, 667 drowning incidents were reported, of which 64 led to death, IRIB reported.

The average age of the drowned persons was 23, the report added.

World Drowning Prevention Day, declared in April 2021, is held annually on 25 July. Every year, an estimated 236,000 people drown, making drowning a major public health problem worldwide.

Drowning is one of the leading causes of death globally for children and young people aged 1-24 years. Drowning is the 3rd leading cause of unintentional injury death, accounting for 7% of all injury-related deaths.

Lack of barriers controlling exposure to water bodies and lack of adequate, close supervision for infants and young children are drowning risks, as are poor swim skills and low awareness of water dangers.

In addition, high-risk behavior, including consuming alcohol while engaging with water, is a risk among young people and adults. Other risk factors are transport on water and water crossings, lack of safe water supply, and flood disasters.