Sixteen people drowned during August compared to 10 during the same period last year, according to preliminary statistics released by the Finnish Swimming Teaching and Lifesaving Federation. All of the victims were male and the majority were over the age of 65.
According to the Federation, seven of the victims were swimming while four others drowned while boating. The reasons behind August's five other drownings remain unclear.
So far this year 74 people have drowned, 17 more than the same time a year ago. Altogether, 57 people drowned in Finland in 2017.
Laura Sulkava of the Federation’s "Viisaasti Vesillä" (loosely translated "Smartly on the Waters") campaign says that good weather and warm water played a strong role in the increased number of drowning incidents.