A total of four people have lost their lives by drowning in Lanzarote so far this year. Deaths by drowning in the Archipelago reach 43 deaths from January to the end of August. The Island of Volcanoes is the fourth in the Canary Islands with the most accidents of this type.
By islands, Gran Canaria continues to lead the classification, with 16 deaths recorded; followed by Tenerife (14); Fuerteventura (6); Lanzarote, (4); La Gomera (2); El Hierro, (1). La Palma and La Graciosa did not register any deaths.
Regarding the environment, the beaches are the space that most mortality attracted, with 58% of the cases, followed by ports and coastal areas (31%), natural pools (5%) and swimming pools (6%).
More than half of the deaths by submersion occurred in the afternoon, while in the morning (37%) and at night (7%).
43 deaths by drowning is the balance of the first eight months of 2023, two more than in January - August of last year (41) and eleven more than in 2021 (32). 85% of bathers entered the sea when conditions were adverse.
This statistical study is prepared by the Association for the Prevention of Accidents in the Aquatic Environment `Canarias, 1500 Km de Costa´, sponsored by the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, with the collaboration of the Government of the Canary Islands, the Department of Sea City of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the Department of Tourism of LPGC, the Elder Museum of Science and Technology and ADEAC- Blue Flag Spain.
Eleven deaths in summer in the Canary Islands, seven in August
A total of 11 people lost their lives by drowning in the Canary Islands during July and August of this year, 18% less than in the same period of 2022, when there were 12. In total, 75 people affected by some type of aquatic accident in the Archipelago during the two summer months, 44% more than the previous year: 11 deaths, one in critical condition, nine serious, 13 moderate, three mild and 38 rescues.
During the month of August, seven deaths were recorded due to aquatic accidents on the Canary coasts, 1 injured in critical condition, 4 affected in serious condition, 9 moderate, 3 mild and 36 rescues. For its part, in July there were 15 total incidents: 4 deaths, 5 seriously injured, (4) moderate and (2) rescued unharmed.
The monthly mortality remains at an average of 5 bathers, as in the same period of the previous year.
February and June are the months with the lowest number of fatalities recorded (3 each); followed by July (4), January and May (6 each); March, April and August (7 each), according to official data obtained for the preparation of this study.
145 injured in the Islands so far this year
To the 43 deaths, three injured in critical condition, seventeen serious, (32) moderate, (ten) mild and (40) rescued unharmed are added.
Of the total number of deaths, 10 were foreigners of up to eight different nationalities: Germany (one), United Kingdom (one), Ireland (one), Denmark (one), Czech Republic (one), Italy (two), Poland (one) and Russia (one); Spaniards (seven) and victims of unknown nationality (26).
Also, 35% of the deceased (15) were over 60 years old, adults, 35% (15); 28% (12) were victims of unknown age, the remaining 2% corresponds to a minor victim.
By sex, 89% (38) of the fatal victims were men, while 9% (four) were women; the remaining 2% corresponds to a victim of unknown sex.
By activity, 60% (26) of the deceased were bathers, divers, 9% (four), fishermen 12% (five), water sports athletes 5% (two), and in the other section, 14% (six).
