58 Drownings Recorded in Israel During 2026 Swimming Season

A total of 58 people drowned to death in Israel during the 2026 swimming season, which ran from April until Saturday. The figures, released by Magen David Adom (MDA), also indicate that the emergency medical service treated 287 individuals rescued from the water at beaches, pools, and reservoirs. This represents a slight increase from the 57 drowning deaths recorded in the previous year's season. MDA reported that 261 people required treatment after near-drowning incidents, marking a 9% decrease in overall near-drowning cases compared to 2025. Of those treated, 26 were pronounced dead at the scene, while another 32 were evacuated to hospitals where their deaths were later confirmed. Children were disproportionately affected, with nearly 24% of all near-drowning incidents (75 cases) involving toddlers or children up to age 10, and approximately 20% (52 cases) involving children and teenagers up to age 19. The Mediterranean Sea saw the highest number of incidents with 143, followed by the Dead Sea with 11, the Red Sea with 5, and the Sea of Galilee with 4. Private pools accounted for 36 cases, the same number as public pools, while resort pools saw 14 drownings and one person drowned in a decorative pool at an event hall. Water bodies like the Jordan River, streams, and the Sachne pool also recorded 11 drowning incidents. MDA Director-General Eli Bin emphasized the severity of drowning, stating that "behind every such number stands a person and a family whose lives have changed in an instant." He urged the public not to underestimate the dangers of water, reminding them to swim only at designated beaches during lifeguard hours and to closely supervise children near water. MDA utilized specialized vehicles, including a sea boat on the Sea of Galilee and boats in Eilat, to provide rapid emergency care during the season.