52 dead drowned in 2024 in Switzerland
Young men are always the main victims of drowning
The last year’s statistics from Swiss rescuers confirm a disturbing trend.
REGRA’s exercise last June in Geneva, during a day of risk prevention of swimming.
KEYSTONE
- Men represent the vast majority of drowning victims.
- Seniors are now 20% of deadly aquatic accidents.
- The Swiss Rescue Company recommends properly assess its physical capacities before any swim.
The beautiful days are there. Putting a lake or the river attempts many Swiss. But be careful not to underestimate the danger. In 2024, 52 people died drowned, the Swiss Rescue Company (SSS) and the accident prevention office (BPA) said in a statement published this Wednesday. An average lower than that of 2023, but which remains worrying.
At the start of the 2024 swimming season, the authorities were advised not to swim in the rivers in view of the weather conditions. “Given these circumstances, we expected a small number of deadly drownings, this forecast was however only partially correct,” comments the SSS.
Young and male victims
Free waters are the most dangerous: 96% of all fatal drownings have occurred there. In 2024, drowning was more numerous in rivers (54%) than in lakes (42%), which was not the case in the last two years.
Above all, the detailed analysis of SSS figures reveals a worrying trend: young men are by far the main victims of drowning. On all the deaths identified, 44 are men against only eight women. More specifically, in the age group of 17 to 32, twelve fatal drownings were recorded and all the victims were men – as in 2023 for this same age group. Among the 33 to 48 year olds, men are once again mainly affected, with nine out of ten victims.
Please note, the elders between 65 and 80 years are not to be outdone. They represent 20% of fatal accidents, more than previous years. The SSS observes an increasing proportion of death by drowning in seniors. “This is explained by the fact that the elderly are more and more numerous and that the retirees are more and more numerous to play sports,” she comments.
Having too much confidence is a risk
Among young men, the taste for risk would partly explain their over -representation among drowning victims, the statement said. But for those over 65, the causes remain unclear, due to the lack of precise data. However, here too, the hypothesis of further risk taking in men is not excluded. In addition, “it is possible that medical problems and overestimation of physical capacities play a role in the elderly,” adds the SSS.
“Many fatal drownings could be avoided if the maxims of swimming and the SSS river were respected,” said the company in its press release. Among the SSS rules, available on its site: Do not swim if you don’t feel good or not in great shape, take a flotation means, show common sense and correctly assess your physical condition as well as the dangers of water.
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