SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, May 1. (EUROPE PRESS) –
A total of twenty people have lost their lives due to drowning in the Canary Islands between January and April of this year, seven more than in the same period of the two previous years, in which thirteen people died.
During the month of April, 19 were affected by some type of mishap on the coasts and aquatic facilities of the Canary Islands. Of these, a fatality was recorded by submersion last Tuesday, April 12, in the middle of Holy Week.
The vast majority of accidents were carried out by people who decided to enter the water when the sea conditions were adverse or the red flag was waving.
These data are prepared by the promoters of the first audiovisual campaign in the EU for the prevention of accidents in the aquatic environment, ‘Canarias, 1500 Km de Costa’, a public interest initiative sponsored by the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, an official collaborator of ADEAC -Blue Flag Spain and with the support of the Government of the Canary Islands, the Department of Ciudad de Mar of the City Council of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the Elder Museum of Science and Technology.
To the 20 deaths recorded between January and April must be added two critically injured, four injured with serious injuries, sixteen moderate injuries, six minor injuries and nine rescues of people who were unharmed.
75% of the identified deceased were foreigners of up to seven different nationalities: Poland (2), Germany (1), United Kingdom (1), Holland (1), Norway (1), Ireland (1), Portugal (1) and unknown nationality (1).
Of the ages of the deceased, 40% (8) were adults, while 25% (5) were over 60 years of age. The remaining 35% (7) represents victims of unknown age.
By islands, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote registered four deaths each; La Gomera, three; Iron, one; La Palma and La Graciosa did not register any deaths. The afternoon schedule accounts for 75% of fatal drownings, while the morning 20%.
By activity, 65% (13) of the deceased were swimmers; fishermen, 15% (3); divers, 5% (1), and in the other section, 15% (3).
Beaches are the environment in which more fatal accidents occurred, with 46% of cases, followed by ports and coastal areas (40%), natural pools (12%) and swimming pools (2%).
Drowning continues to be the first cause of death by accident in the Archipelago, mainly due to recklessness and ignorance. For this reason, the promoters of the platform insist on the importance of prevention, self-responsibility and common sense.
