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MOSCOW, July 29 (Itar-Tass) —— The Russian Emergency Situations Ministry has reported a lesser swimmer mortality rate in Moscow this year.
“There were 175 accidents in Moscow water ponds this year. Forty-five people drowned, and 147 were rescued. The swimmer mortality rate has declined,” Vladimir Volkov from the city emergency situations department said.
The mortality rate has nearly halved, but even one death is a big tragedy, he said.
Alcohol remains the chief cause of drowning. “Up to 92% of dead swimmers were drunk. Sober people practically do not drown,” he noted. Swimming in prohibited places is also dangerous, Volkov said.
The biggest number of swimmer deaths, 25, happened in July, he added.
None of the children or teenagers drowned in Moscow this year. Ten teenage swimmers were saved, Volkov said.