SHENZHEN Emergency Center received a total of 36 drowning reports from June 1 to Monday, the Shenzhen Evening News reported.

Statistics from the center show that ambulances in Shenzhen were dispatched 88 times to deal with drowning cases from January to August last year. In July alone, ambulances were dispatched 21 times to rescue drowning victims and a total of seven people died of drowning.

This year, drowning cases are reported on average once every 1.6 days. The statistics don’t include drowning victims who go to hospitals themselves to receive treatment.

Coastal areas in the eastern and western parts of the city saw the most drowning cases, followed by rivers in the city and swimming pools in housing estates. Most drowning accidents take place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and are usually in the afternoons and evenings.

According to staffers with the management office of the Dameisha park, the number of students going swimming in the park has increased this summer. Some students are not accompanied by their parents, which could easily lead to drowning accidents.

The risks of drowning in swimming pools also should not be ignored, according to the center.

In July alone, two people drowned to death in swimming venues in the city. On July 5, a 68-year-old man died of drowning while swimming in a natatorium in Yantian District. On July 23, another man died of drowning while swimming in a housing estate’s swimming pool in Nanshan District.

In response to the two drowning cases cited above, Futian District’s swimming association and local authorities organized a conference Monday on swimming safety.

Operators of swimming venues are required to post safety signs at the venues. They also need to ensure that lifeguards have adequate emergency rescue skills and the lifesaving equipment is in good condition.

(Liu Wenjin)