30 deaths in group drowning events, highest toll in nine years
Australia recorded 14 multi-fatality drowning events and 30 deaths in 2025/26, the worst year in almost a decade.
In 2025/26, there were 30 deaths across 14 group drowning events. The 30 deaths mark the highest toll since 2016/17, when 34 people died, according to a Royal Life Saving Australia report released this week.
Most incidents involved families in boats, people driving through floodwater, or groups exploring unfamiliar areas like sand dunes or remote waterways. Nearly one-third of the fatal events were boating-related.
Emergency services warned that extreme weather and heat expected in coming months could push drownings higher still. Chief Justin Scarr from Royal Life Saving urged people to know everyone in their group's swimming skills.
He said to respect rivers and dams, they have steep drop-offs, strong currents, and hidden debris. A car can float in surprisingly shallow floodwater.
Alcohol, drugs and pre-existing medical conditions also raised drowning risk.
- 30
- Deaths in 2025/26
- 14
- Multi-fatality events
- 2016/17
- Worst year since
- 23
- Average deaths per year
Why it mattersSummer outings, boat trips, drives, coastal walks, carry far higher risk than most people realise, and a single accident can kill multiple family members at once.
AustraliaEvery Australian planning a summer outing near water should know the swim ability of each person in their group and understand local water hazards before setting out.
Corroborated bythenightly.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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