Brussels: Europe and the Arabs

While summer is the peak season for swimming and water activities, it also brings an increased risk of drowning accidents.

In 2021, there were 5,004 deaths due to drowning and submersion in the European Union, 532 more than in 2020 (4,472). The share of deaths due to drowning and submersion in total accidental deaths also increased slightly from 2.9% in 2020 to 3.1% in 2021. However, this share was significantly lower than the 4.2% recorded in 2011, reflecting an almost constant decline over the past ten years. According to figures released by Eurostat, the European Statistical Office in Brussels,

1,033 drowning deaths in Romania
In 2021, among EU countries, the highest number of drowning and immersion deaths was reported in Romania (1,033), accounting for 21% of all drowning deaths in the EU. It was followed by France (653), Poland (466) and Germany (457) by a wide margin. The lowest figures were recorded in Luxembourg (1), Malta (3) and Cyprus (9).
In 2021, drowning deaths among males were more than twice as high as those among females in almost all EU countries. The only exceptions were Austria (33 males and 19 females) and Malta (1 male and 2 females).