526 children among 582 drowning deaths in six months

Children remain the most vulnerable to drowning in Bangladesh, with 526 children among 582 drowning deaths recorded in the first six months of this year, according to statistics from Disaster Forum.

Experts say the majority of these deaths are preventable. Teaching children to swim from the age of six, ensuring regular supervision and providing immediate CPR after an accident could significantly reduce drowning deaths. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a child who learns to swim at age six is approximately 90.3 percent less likely to die from drowning.

Today (July 25) marks World Drowning Prevention Day, with the theme 'Unite to Turn the Tide'. The WHO has set a target of reducing global drowning deaths by 35 percent by 2035.

What the statistics say
According to Disaster Forum, a total of 582 people drowned in Bangladesh between January and June 2026. Among them were 526 children, 45 men and 11 women. Of the child victims, 252 were aged 1–5 years and 151 were aged 6–10 years.

The organisation reported that 348 people drowned in ponds and 104 in rivers during this period.

Disaster Forum's 2025 data shows that 1,311 people drowned in Bangladesh between January and December that year. Children accounted for 1,184 of the deaths, approximately 91 percent of the total. Among the deceased children, 761 were boys and 423 were girls.

In 2025, the highest number of child drowning deaths occurred in the 1–5 age group, with 631 deaths, followed by 354 deaths among children aged 6–10, according to the statistics.

Disaster Forum also noted that drowning incidents are comparatively higher between 7am and 11am. During this time, 765 people drowned in ponds, 185 in rivers and 106 in ditches.

Experts say three key factors—lack of data, limited access to safety measures and low awareness—are preventing significant reduction in drowning deaths.

To prevent drowning, stakeholders have emphasised regular supervision of children, teaching them to swim at age six and immediate CPR administration following any accident.