Madeira was one of the areas of the country with the highest incidence of death by drowning in the first three months of the year, according to figures from the Drowning Observatory of the Portuguese Federation of Lifeguards (FEPONS). Data released today by FEPONS show that 57 people had drowned in Portugal by the 31st of May this year, almost matching the 58 fatalities recorded in the same period in 2024. The Federation said this is the worst start to the year since the Observatory’s records began in 2017, and the first quarter alone saw 36 drowning deaths, the highest figure for that period since 2017. Madeira accounted for 11.1% of those cases, the same share as the district of Braga and behind only Coimbra, which represented 13.9% of the total. Most deaths happened in rivers, where 17 people died, followed by the sea with seven fatalities, while other cases took place on flooded roads, in wells, reservoirs, harbour shelters, and domestic swimming pools. FEPONS also reported that all incidents recorded up to March occurred in places without lifeguard cover, and that men made up 69.4% of the victims, with those aged between 20 and 24 especially affected. The Federation is urging a coordinated national response focused on prevention, water safety education, and a review of lifeguard provision, as the 2026 bathing season runs from 15 April to 31 October and Madeira’s Porto Moniz became the first beach in Portugal to open on the 15th of April.
