33 people were killed in drowning accidents in Norway during the first seven months of 2012. 12 of these were foreign citizens, according to statistics from the Norwegian People's Aid.
Five foreigners drowned in Norway last year, but this year that number has been more than doubled.
"An increasing number of people come to Norway to experience Norwegian nature. This year there has been heavy water flows in several rivers, which may have come as a surprise. The information available about the use of safety equipment is unfortunately also not very good," says Ivar Christiansen, advisor in the Norwegian People's Aid.
45 people drowned during the same time period last year, so in spite of the increase of foreigners involved there has been a decline in the total number of drowning accidents.
"Most accidents can be avoided," Christiansen remarks. "The more we learn about using common sense at sea and when swimming, the more likely it is that the number of drowning accidents will go down," he says.
(Østlendingen/NRK)
Norwegian
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