LatviaPublished: 21 June 2026 at 05:21
Latvia records highest male drowning mortality in EU; alcohol a key factor
According to Eurostat 2022 data, Latvia has the highest male drowning mortality in the EU, and swimming instructor Inga Amerika says alcohol often plays a role in such tragedies.
Eurostat data for 2022 shows that Latvia has the highest male drowning mortality rate in the European Union, at 8.3 deaths per 100,000 men. In an interview with Sporta Studija, former Latvian champion and swimming instructor Inga Amerika stated that most drowning victims are men aged 35 to 50, and alcohol is a contributing factor in many cases. She emphasized that alcohol and recreation on the water are incompatible and urged people to be aware of the risks to prevent accidents.
