Experts Warn of Rising Rip‑Current Drownings on Turkey’s Black Sea Beaches

Health specialists have highlighted an increase in drowning incidents on the Black Sea coast of Turkey as the summer season begins. Prof. Dr. Şevket Özkaya, a chest‑disease expert, warned that rip currents can pull even strong swimmers into deeper water, posing a serious danger especially to young people. He noted that most victims are aged 1‑24, with children under five at the highest risk.

The expert urged families to supervise children closely, avoid swimming alone, and stay within guarded areas. He cited World Health Organization data indicating roughly 250,000 drownings worldwide each year, about 82,000 of them children under 14, and emphasized that many of these deaths are preventable with proper awareness and safety measures.