Greece reports nearly 380 annual drowning deaths, EODY issues safety guidelines

The World Health Organization estimates 300,000 global drowning deaths each year, accounting for about 7% of unintentional injury fatalities. In Greece, the National Public Health Organization’s Epidemiological Surveillance and Non‑Communicable Diseases Prevention Directorate (EODY) reports an average of 378 drowning fatalities per year over the past five years, with 99% occurring at sea. Men constitute 67% of victims and people over 60 account for 81% of the deaths.

EODY identifies key risk factors such as lack of swimming knowledge, insufficient supervision of children, absence of barriers around pools, alcohol consumption, pre‑existing medical conditions, ignoring weather forecasts, and improper use of lifesaving equipment. The agency recommends swimming with a companion, entering and exiting water gradually, staying parallel to the shore, avoiding swimming after eating or drinking, steering clear of unknown waters, continuously supervising children, consulting a doctor when health issues exist, and not overestimating personal abilities.

These guidelines aim to reduce Greece’s drowning mortality rate, which stands at 3.6 per 100,000 population, and to target especially vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children.