Italy logs 75 pool deaths since 2022, child fatalities trigger tighter safety rules
A total of 75 people have died in Italian swimming pools between January 2022 and July 2026, averaging 16 deaths per year, according to the Italian Society of Environmental Medicine (Sima). The count includes private, public, thermal and hotel pools and is lower than the previous average of 30 deaths per year. Experts note that about 44 % of pool deaths are due to medical emergencies and that more than half of the victims are children under 12.
Recent incidents have intensified calls for reform. In July 2026 an 11‑year‑old girl in Sestri Levante died after her hair became entangled in a pool suction inlet, and a 4‑year‑old Austrian girl drowned in a hotel pool in Milano Marittima, remaining underwater for several minutes before being rescued. Both cases have prompted investigations into pool safety measures and possible liability.
The Italian government is drafting stricter regulations, including mandatory lifeguard presence, clearer signage, and enforced supervision of minors. Sima’s president Alessandro Miani advises constant parental watch, use of supervised facilities, and adherence to basic safety practices such as gradual entry and avoiding swimming while overheated or after alcohol.