People at the Hietaranta beach in Helsinki. Photo: Markku Ulander / Lehtikuva
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At least 11 people drowned across Finland over the past weekend, bringing this year’s drowning figures in line with those of 2023, according to the Finnish Swimming Teaching and Lifesaving Federation (FSL).
A prolonged period of hot weather has contributed to a spike in water activity and associated risks. The FSL said Friday was one of the deadliest days on Finnish waters in recent memory, with six confirmed drownings and one person still missing.
Among the victims was a 10-year-old child who drowned while swimming with friends in Lahti. Other cases included an elderly woman in Pälkäne, a man in his 20s in Espoo, and another elderly man in Hyrynsalmi. Two young people drowned at Hiekkasärkät beach in Kalajoki on Friday, while a third was found the next evening.
Deaths continued into Saturday and Sunday. An elderly woman drowned in Kotka, a fisherman reported missing since Wednesday was found in Heinola, and two further drownings were confirmed in Alavus and Kuopio, involving elderly swimmers.
Kimmo Kohvakka, Director General for Rescue Services at the Ministry of the Interior, addressed the incidents on national television. “Half of the victims were elderly. What’s especially heartbreaking is that many others were children,” he said.
He cited a national decline in swimming ability as a contributing factor. According to the latest FSL survey, only just over half of sixth-grade pupils meet the minimum standard for swimming ability. Kohvakka said the trend was “worrying” and showed clear differences across municipalities in access to swimming instruction.
“There’s a lot of talk about the role of schools, but I strongly emphasise the responsibility of parents to teach children to swim as well as possible,” he said.
He also noted that not all public swimming areas are monitored, limiting the role of authorities in ensuring safety. “That means personal responsibility and care for oneself and loved ones is extremely important,” he added.
According to FSL, 88 people drowned in Finland last year, with 59 of those deaths occurring by the end of July. This year’s figures are now approaching that level, with July’s heat believed to be a major factor after a cooler-than-average June.
While the recent numbers are alarming, Kohvakka noted that rescue operations in June and July remain within historical averages. “There are no major deviations in numbers yet,” he said.
The Prime Minister Petteri Orpo posted on social media following the weekend deaths. “Heartbreaking news of children, young people, and adults drowning throughout the summer. Keep a close eye on children near water and look after your friends. Don’t leave anyone alone in the water,” he wrote on X.
Authorities have urged people to exercise caution near lakes, beaches, and rivers, especially during extreme heat. The FSL warns that risk increases when people unfamiliar with swimming enter the water or when supervision is absent.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
