Swimming in beautiful waters of Turkey can be a very nice experience. However, if you are not careful, your fun time summer vacation can end in tragedy. Over the past ten years, the treacherous rip currents in the Black Sea have resulted in the deaths of 304 out of 648 individuals who were pulled away from the shores of 12 cities. These cities are now facing a significant risk of drowning.
Samsun, in particular, has recorded the highest number of drowning cases, while Artvin has reported the fewest incidents. Mustafa Serkan Abdüsselam, an associate professor, has highlighted the unfortunate trend of increasing cases each year. Analysis further reveals that 70% of these incidents involve individuals under the age of 30, with men accounting for 80% of drowning cases compared to 20% for women.
These rip currents, commonly known as the "pulling current," primarily occur in the Black Sea, leading to hundreds of fatalities annually. Between 2012 and 2022, a total of 554 incidents were reported in the cities of Samsun, Artvin, Bartın, Düzce, Giresun, Kastamonu, Ordu, Rize, Sakarya, Sinop, Trabzon, and Zonguldak, which fall under the jurisdiction of the Black Sea Regional Command Coast Guard. Out of the 648 people who ventured into the sea from these coastal regions, 304 tragically lost their lives due to drowning.
Detailed data shows that out of those at risk, 276 were men and 28 were women who succumbed to drowning. Notably, 439 of the victims were under the age of 30, including 212 minors under the age of 18.
The number of drowning incidents varied throughout the years, with a minimum of 18 cases in 2012 and a peak of 93 cases in 2022. Interestingly, the onset of the pandemic in 2019 led to a significant decrease in drowning incidents, reducing them to just 16. However, as the pandemic subsided, the numbers surged to 46 in 2021. The data clearly indicates a correlation between the summer months and increased drowning, influenced by rising air and sea temperatures.
The period from May to October, when beach activities are most prevalent, witnessed the highest drowning risks. July and August stood out as the months with the highest number of incidents, with 101 and 107 cases, respectively. Weekdays and weekends accounted for an equal share of drowning fatalities, while survival rates showed a slight difference, with 57% during the week and 43% on weekends. Sundays emerged as the days with the highest number of drowning cases, totaling 189.
To tackle this urgent issue, Abdüsselam, the director of Giresun University's Augmented Reality Application and Research Center, announced a collaboration with the Foresight Research Center. They aim to analyze the risks associated with rip currents in the Black Sea and develop educational applications that promote safety and awareness.
Abdüsselam expressed concern over the alarming increase in drowning incidents in the Black Sea region between 2012 and 2022, with nearly 70% of the cases involving individuals under the age of 30, and approximately 50% of them being under 18. Survival rates indicate that close to 50% of men and 75% of women survive near-drowning incidents. July and August were identified as critical months with a higher density of incidents, demanding increased caution.
In the previous year, several foreign students in various coastal cities along the Black Sea lost their lives or experienced prolonged hospital stays in critical conditions.
The growing number of drowning incidents in the Black Sea requires immediate attention and collaborative efforts from authorities, educational institutions, and the public. Strengthening safety measures, conducting awareness campaigns, and implementing effective preventive measures are crucial steps to protect lives and ensure the well-being of those enjoying the sea.
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Samsun, in particular, has recorded the highest number of drowning cases, while Artvin has reported the fewest incidents. Mustafa Serkan Abdüsselam, an associate professor, has highlighted the unfortunate trend of increasing cases each year. Analysis further reveals that 70% of these incidents involve individuals under the age of 30, with men accounting for 80% of drowning cases compared to 20% for women.
These rip currents, commonly known as the "pulling current," primarily occur in the Black Sea, leading to hundreds of fatalities annually. Between 2012 and 2022, a total of 554 incidents were reported in the cities of Samsun, Artvin, Bartın, Düzce, Giresun, Kastamonu, Ordu, Rize, Sakarya, Sinop, Trabzon, and Zonguldak, which fall under the jurisdiction of the Black Sea Regional Command Coast Guard. Out of the 648 people who ventured into the sea from these coastal regions, 304 tragically lost their lives due to drowning.
Detailed data shows that out of those at risk, 276 were men and 28 were women who succumbed to drowning. Notably, 439 of the victims were under the age of 30, including 212 minors under the age of 18.
The number of drowning incidents varied throughout the years, with a minimum of 18 cases in 2012 and a peak of 93 cases in 2022. Interestingly, the onset of the pandemic in 2019 led to a significant decrease in drowning incidents, reducing them to just 16. However, as the pandemic subsided, the numbers surged to 46 in 2021. The data clearly indicates a correlation between the summer months and increased drowning, influenced by rising air and sea temperatures.
The period from May to October, when beach activities are most prevalent, witnessed the highest drowning risks. July and August stood out as the months with the highest number of incidents, with 101 and 107 cases, respectively. Weekdays and weekends accounted for an equal share of drowning fatalities, while survival rates showed a slight difference, with 57% during the week and 43% on weekends. Sundays emerged as the days with the highest number of drowning cases, totaling 189.
To tackle this urgent issue, Abdüsselam, the director of Giresun University's Augmented Reality Application and Research Center, announced a collaboration with the Foresight Research Center. They aim to analyze the risks associated with rip currents in the Black Sea and develop educational applications that promote safety and awareness.
Abdüsselam expressed concern over the alarming increase in drowning incidents in the Black Sea region between 2012 and 2022, with nearly 70% of the cases involving individuals under the age of 30, and approximately 50% of them being under 18. Survival rates indicate that close to 50% of men and 75% of women survive near-drowning incidents. July and August were identified as critical months with a higher density of incidents, demanding increased caution.
In the previous year, several foreign students in various coastal cities along the Black Sea lost their lives or experienced prolonged hospital stays in critical conditions.
The growing number of drowning incidents in the Black Sea requires immediate attention and collaborative efforts from authorities, educational institutions, and the public. Strengthening safety measures, conducting awareness campaigns, and implementing effective preventive measures are crucial steps to protect lives and ensure the well-being of those enjoying the sea.
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