Since the beginning of 2025, 289 people have drowned in water bodies of Ukraine, among them 20 children. This is reported by the State Service for Emergency Situations (SSES).
According to the agency, only in May, 59 people died, including three minors. Separately, it is noted that only for one day at the end of May two deaths on the water were recorded. Thus, the total number of victims in January-May approached the mark of 291.
For comparison, during the whole of 2024, 894 people drowned, including 76 children. That’s a 22% increase from a year earlier. Last summer alone (June-August), 432 people died on the water, including 63 children.
According to rescuers, most tragedies occur in unequipped places for bathing. The main reasons are bathing in a drunken state, lack of adult control over children, as well as neglect of elementary rules of behavior on the water.
The State Emergency Service urges citizens to be especially attentive during summer vacation and to follow the recommendations:
swim only in authorized places with lifeguards on duty; do not dive in unfamiliar places; do not leave children unattended; do not enter the water in a state of alcoholic intoxication.In case of emergency it is necessary to immediately contact by phone:- 101 – Rescue Service (State Emergency Service)- 103 – Emergency medical aidAccording to rescuers, men aged 30-45 years make up the majority of victims on the water. Also a high level of death is recorded in Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv and Cherkassy regions.The Office reminds that compliance with safety rules can save a life. Make sure that the chosen place for swimming is officially authorized, and in case of emergency act immediately.
