(MENAFN) Police in the Philippines have reported at least 72 people have drowned since the start of April, with authorities attributing the unusually high figure to Holy Week and pandemic restrictions being eased. The holiday is traditionally celebrated by millions of Filipinos leaving the capital city of Manila to spend time with their families, often at beaches and resorts across the country. However, due to the restrictions that had been in place to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus, many people have been cooped up for an extended period, leading to what authorities have referred to as "revenge travel."

According to Philippine National Police spokeswoman Col. Jean Fajardo, the high number of fatalities is partly due to people getting overly excited to go to beaches and resorts, leading to crowded beaches and resorts. Fajardo noted that the victims included children who were left unattended by their guardians while swimming, as well as individuals who hit beaches while intoxicated. A breakdown of the fatalities is yet to be released, but Fajardo confirmed the death toll is "unusual" and higher than in previous years.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury deaths globally, with an estimated 236,000 fatalities annually. The organization has called for greater attention to be given to water safety measures, such as learning to swim, wearing life jackets, and avoiding alcohol consumption while swimming.

Authorities in the Philippines are urging people to be more careful, especially during Holy Week, a period where the risk of drowning tends to spike due to the increased number of people visiting beaches and resorts. Additionally, the government has advised people to follow safety guidelines when swimming, such as staying close to shore and avoiding swimming in areas with strong currents.

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