Drowning claims more than 300,000 lives a year — 30 every hour — and almost a quarter of the victims are children under five. Globally, it is among the 10 leading causes of death for children aged 5-14, the World Health Organization said, ahead of World Drowning Prevention Day (July 25). This year’s theme is “Unite to turn the tide”.More than 90 per cent of drowning deaths occur in rivers, lakes, wells, domestic water storage vessels and swimming pools in low- and middle-income countries, with children and adolescents in rural areas disproportionately affected.The Global Strategy for Drowning Prevention calls every sector and every level of society to unite to reduce drowning by 35 per cent by 2035. Closing the gap depends on all of us doing our part — every person, in every place, in every context, the WHO said.Published on July 13, 2026