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Increase in drownings

Finland's heat wave has contributed to an increase in drowning deaths: 14 people have lost their lives this month alone.

Kesäinen sää järven rannalla.
Image: Mikko Stig / Lehtikuva

Late Monday afternoon an elderly man drowned in Rauma, a town on Finland's western coast. He was one of the 14 people who lost their lives in the water this month, with the majority of July's losses taking place in southern Finland.

In total, 79 people have drowned so far this year in Finland. Figures out this month indicate that drownings are up 25 percent on the figure for 12 months ago.

Sources: Yle