Australia’s deadly summer: Drowning death toll soars and sparks calls for more to be done to warn of surf danger
- A person is drowning at a rate of more than one every day in summer in Australia
- The sharp increase in drownings had led to calls for more to be done to help
- Surf Life Saving wants videos played on flights warning of dangers in the sea
Almost 100 people have drowned while swimming in Australia in just two months – sparking calls for more to be done to warn people of the dangers of the sea.
A person is drowning at a rate of more than one every day, and 32 more people have died in the 68 days since December 1 than the same period last summer, according to the Royal Life Saving Summer Drowning Toll.
As at February 6, 92 people have drowned in Australian waters compared to 60 at the same time last year.
Almost 100 people have drowned while swimming in Australia in just two months
A person is drowning at a rate of more than one every day, and 32 more people have died in the 68 days since December 1 than the same period of time last summer (pictured: Nossa on the Sunshine Coast)
The sharp increase in drownings has led to calls for more to be done to prevent death in the water.
Surf Life Saving Australia national coastal risk manager Shane Daw said the high frequency of drowning deaths this summer was ‘an absolute tragedy’.
‘Every one of these numbers is not just a number, it’s a person, it’s someone’s mother, father, brother, sister, a loved one, a family friend,’ he told Nine News.
‘These are people who can’t go home to their families, these are also people who have others – friends and family who are mourning for the loss of them.’
Almost a third of the drowning deaths in Australia this summer have happened in New South Wales.
Surf Life Saving Australia national coastal risk manager Shane Daw said the high frequency of drowning deaths this summer was ‘an absolute tragedy’ (pictured: Sydney’s Coogee Beach)
Almost a third of the drowning deaths in Australia this summer have happened in New South Wales
Twenty-nine people have drowned in the state since December 1, making up 32 per cent of all deaths in the water across the country.
In Victoria and Queensland, 22 people in each state have died while swimming this summer.
Mr Daw recommended airlines introducing safety videos on flights advising travellers on how to stay safe in the water.
‘To have a consistent water safety message on all our flights – whether its internationally or domestically – can only enhance what we’re doing about getting that awareness out there,’ he said.
Qantas and Virgin Australia show water safety messages onboard their flights.