Accidental drowning

This news release concerns accidental drownings. These include all fatalities due to drowning that occur indoor or outdoor which do not involve a transport accident, suicide, homicide or other such causes.

Figures on deaths by drowning among inhabitants concern people who were resident in the Netherlands and registered in the Personal Records Database (BRP) at the time of their death.

Of the total number of drownings in the Netherlands, most are cases of suicide, followed by accidental drownings. Drownings due to traffic or transport accidents are less common. However, there are differences between age groups. Accidental drownings are the most common (in relative terms) among those aged 0-39 years, while suicide is the leading cause of drowning among those aged over 40 years.