At least 72 people have died by drowning in the Philippines since the start of the month, police said Monday. The unusually high figure is partly attributed to millions of people flocking to the beach for Holy Week. In the Catholic‑majority nation, the holiday is traditionally marked by large numbers of residents leaving Manila to spend time with family.
Philippine National Police spokeswoman Colonel Jean Fajardo said the toll was also a result of “revenge travel” as the country emerges from years of mobility restrictions imposed to contain COVID‑19. “People got a bit excited to go to beaches and resorts,” she told AFP. While a detailed breakdown of the fatalities was not immediately available, Fajardo noted that the victims included children left unattended by guardians while swimming and individuals who went to the beach while intoxicated.
Fajardo called the death toll “unusual” and higher than in past years. “Resorts and beaches were packed. This also contributed to the number of drowning incidents,” she added. The World Health Organization reports that drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury deaths worldwide, with an estimated 236,000 fatalities each year.
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