UPDATE: Caution urged as drowning toll spikes in Poland

A total of 250 people have drowned in Poland since the beginning of April, authorities said on Monday, urging people to be cautious when swimming and enjoying other water sports.

Photo:

PAP/Piotr Polak

At the weekend, 19 drowning deaths were reported nationwide as people took to lakes, rivers and the Baltic Sea amid scorching weather, according to the Government Centre for Security (RCB).

W miniony weekend aż 1⃣9⃣ osób straciło życie nad wodą‼

Przed nami ostatnie dni wakacji. Nie trać czujności i pamiętaj o swoim bezpieczeństwie:
🌊nie skacz do wody w nieznanych miejscach
🌊zakładaj kapok podczas uprawiania sportów wodnych
🌊stosuj się do poleceń ratownika pic.twitter.com/v6wJfIAHMT

— Rządowe Centrum Bezpieczeństwa (@RCB_RP) August 21, 2023

Earlier, police had put the weekend's drowning toll at 16.

Officials say alcohol is among the main causes of swimmers drowning in Poland. Deaths often occur in bathing areas not patrolled by lifeguards.

Statystki na temat utonięć w Polsce mogą przerazićhttps://t.co/StJWHQ5ebL

— PolsatNews.pl (@PolsatNewsPL) August 21, 2023

The Government Centre for Security has warned people that they should not drink or take drugs before going swimming. It also appealed to citizens to steer clear of unguarded beaches and to wear a life jacket when on a boat or canoe.

🔴PROGNOZA POGODY🔴
W Polsce utrzymuje się upalna temperatura.#wieszwięcej #pogoda https://t.co/hNtPPzXGf7

— tvp.info 🇵🇱 (@tvp_info) August 21, 2023

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Source: IAR, PAP