Child drownings rise 8% in 2022

The death rate of children under nine years due to drowning increased in the country in 2022 when 81 per cent of the total drowning deaths were under the age of nine.

This rate is 8 per cent higher than the previous year. In 2022, 61 per cent of these unfortunate children died before their fourth birthday, says a press release.

This figure was obtained by analysing 1,130 drowning deaths published in the media in the last 12 months.

In 2020 and 2021, the drowning death rates for those under 9 were 65 per cent and 73 per cent respectively, according to media data. In these two years, respectively 807 and 1,347 drowning deaths were reported in the media.

Society for Media and Suitable Human-communication Techniques, a media development and communication-focused organisation, in collaboration with the Global Health Advocacy Incubator came up with the information by analysing data on drowning deaths published in national and local media and news portals.

Media reports showed that 1,130 people died in 886 drowning incidents last year. The highest number of 282 people drowned in the Chattogram division in 2022. Besides, 160 people died in Rangpur division, 149 in Dhaka, 131 in Barisal, 110 in Rajshahi, 104 in Mymensingh, 103 in Khulna, and 91 in Sylhet division.

The highest number of 73 people drowned in the Chattogram district last year. The next places are Panchagarh, Netrakona, Chandpur, Cox's Bazar, and Patuakhali districts, the press release said.

Ninety-four percent of drowning deaths in 2022 were under the age of 18. Among them, 556 were four years old or below, 363 were 5-9 years old, 102 were 10-14 years old, 43 were 15-18 years old and 66 were over 18 years of age.

A number of 412 of those who drowned were women, 400 of them were children and 708 were men. The sexual identity of 10 people could not be confirmed from the published news.

Of the victims, 355 people died in the morning hours of the day and 686 people died between noon and before evening. Besides, 70 people died in the evening while 19 people drowned during the night.

In last year, the highest number of 162 deaths occurred in the month of August. In addition, 143 deaths in June and 128 deaths in both May and September were reported in newspapers.

During the year, 98 members of 49 families drowned. Among them, 14 were twins, and 42 were siblings.