Greece records 378 drowning deaths annually, health agency urges safety measures

The Greek National Public Health Organization (EODY) reports an average of 378 fatal drownings each year over the past five years, representing a rate of 3.6 per 100,000 people. Ninety‑nine percent of these deaths occur in the sea, 67% involve men, and seniors over 60 account for 81% of the victims.

Drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide, responsible for about 7% of such fatalities and roughly 300,000 deaths globally each year, according to the World Health Organization. EODY identifies the main risk factors as lack of swimming skills, alcohol consumption, inadequate supervision of children, missing pool fencing, existing medical conditions, ignoring weather forecasts, and improper use of life‑jacket equipment. The agency recommends swimming with a companion, entering and exiting water gradually, staying parallel to the shore, avoiding swimming after meals or drinks, steering clear of unfamiliar waters, continuously supervising young children, seeking medical advice when relevant, and not overestimating personal abilities.