This weekend Finland saw multiple drownings across the country, amid a record-breaking streak of hot weather.
Friday marked one of the deadliest days on Finnish waters in recent memory, with six people drowning and another still missing, according to the Finnish Swimming Teaching and Lifesaving Federation (FSL).
A 10-year-old child swimming with friends drowned in Lahti around midday. In the early evening, an elderly woman who went swimming in Pälkäne was found to have drowned. Later that evening, the body of a man in his 20s was discovered in the water near a beach in Espoo. The same evening, an elderly man was also discovered drowned in Hyrynsalmi.
In Kalajoki, three young people went missing at Hiekkasärkät beach — two were found drowned on Friday, and the third was found drowned late on Saturday night.
Several more drownings were reported over the course of Saturday, including an elderly woman at a beach in Kotka and a fisherman in Heinola, who had been missing since Wednesday after his empty boat was discovered.
On Sunday, an elderly woman in Alavus and an elderly man in Kuopio drowned after going swimming.
Decline in swimming skills
Kimmo Kohvakka, Director General for Rescue Services at the Ministry of the Interior, commented on recent drowning cases during Yle TV's breakfast show on Monday.
"Half of the victims were elderly. What's especially heartbreaking is that many others were children. Even one drowning death is one too many," he said.
He emphasised the importance of teaching children how to swim. According to the federatin's latest national swimming skill survey, just over half of sixth-graders can swim, reflecting a decrease.
He called the decline in swimming skills worrying, noting significant differences between municipalities in access to swimming spots and lessons.
"There's a lot of talk about the role of schools [to teach the skill], but I strongly emphasise the responsibility of parents to teach children to swim as well as possible."
Authorities have clear supervisory responsibilities, but Kohvakka said that not all swimming areas are monitored, making it difficult to delegate full responsibility to them.
"That means personal responsibility and care for oneself and loved ones is extremely important."
Numbers not abnormal
Despite many near-drowning incidents reported in July, rescue operations in June and July were still within the usual annual averages, according to Kohvakka.
"There are no major deviations in numbers yet."
On Sunday, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) commented on the drownings on social media platform X.
"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 posted.
Yle News reporter Matthew Schilke spoke to the Finnish Swimming Teaching and Lifesaving Federation (FSL) on staying safe while cooling off in the summer.
