Drowning Deaths Rise to 58 as Israel's Swimming Season Ends

MDA teams provided medical care to 261 individuals rescued from various bodies of water, representing a 9% decrease from the 287 rescues in 2025. Among those treated, 26 were pronounced dead at the scene, while 32 died in hospitals. The remaining victims included one in critical condition, 15 in serious condition, 22 in moderate condition, and 165 in mild condition. Men constituted 72% of all those affected, while women made up 28%.

Children and teenagers were heavily affected, with 75 children under the age of 10 and 52 teenagers up to age 19 requiring treatment. Among the fatalities were nine children under 10 years old, including four who died in private swimming pools, and seven teenagers.

The Mediterranean Sea was the most dangerous location, accounting for 143 drowning incidents. Swimming pools saw 86 incidents, including 36 in public pools, 36 in private home pools, 14 in resort pools, and one in a decorative pool at a wedding hall. Other incidents occurred in the Dead Sea, the Red Sea, the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan River and wadis, and agricultural reservoirs. MDA officials urged continued public vigilance and supervision of children near water, warning that drowning risks persist beyond the official season.