Easy Afternoons 12:30pm - 3:00pm

Listen Live

Search

Young men most at risk of drowning

Thursday, 26 June 2025 06:30

With the warmer weather, many in Switzerland are heading to lakes and rivers - but safety remains a concern.

In 2024, 52 people drowned, according to the Swiss Lifesaving Society. While that’s fewer than last year, the number is still alarming.

Most drownings occurred in open waters, especially rivers, and young men remain the most at risk. 

All 12 victims aged 17 to 32 were male. Seniors also accounted for a growing share of fatalities.

Authorities warn against overconfidence and urge swimmers to follow safety guidelines, including using flotation devices and being honest about their physical condition.

Share

More from Bitesize News

  • Geneva could foot the G7 bill

    Geneva fears it will be left with the security bill from a G7 summit just across the border in Évian, according to 24 heures.

  • US NGO discovers Swiss child abuse cases

    Switzerland relies too heavily on an American NGO to detect child sexual abuse online, raising questions about the country's ability to protect children on its own.

  • French singer banned by Paleo

    The Paléo Festival in Nyon says it will no longer invite French singer Patrick Bruel, after a former volunteer accused him of inappropriate behaviour.

  • Cars going uninspected

    The cantons are struggling to keep up with mandatory vehicle inspections, leaving more than 550,000 checks overdue nationwide.

  • War may lead to rent rises

    Rents may rise again, says the bank Raiffeisen.

  • Not a heatwave, yet

    Summer has arrived, with temperatures climbing past 30 over the long weekend. Basel reached 31 and Sion hit 32.4, but MeteoSwiss, says this does not yet count as an official heatwave.

Follow WRS

Download our app

  • Available on the App Store
  • Available on Google Play