TEHRAN –In the first three months of the current Iranian year (started on March 19), a total of 283 individuals lost their lives from drowning, showing a 1.1 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

During the mentioned period, 21 drowning incidents in seas were reported, marking a 43.2 percent decrease compared to the figure reported last spring.

A total of 55 and 22 individuals died from drowning in agricultural irrigation pools and swimming pools, indicating a 22.5 and 21.4 percent decrease respectively compared to the same period last year.

A significant number the deaths, 93, occurred in rivers which has increased by 27.4 percent compared to the previous year.

The highest number of deaths were reported in Fars (33), Khuzestan (30), and Isfahan (23) provinces.

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 percent 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.

MT/MG