The Indian government has warned its citizens living in Canada to be more cautious around large water bodies following what it described as increasing cases of drowning in the North America country. 

The Consulate General of India in Toronto gave the advice in a travel advisory. The consulate also advised Indian nationals to always wear life jackets when visiting lakes, rivers and beaches. 

“The Consulate has been receiving increased number of drowning cases of Indian nationals in Canada. Indian nationals, particularly Indian international students, are advised to exercise extreme precaution while visiting lakes/rivers/beaches or other water bodies. 

“It is advised to follow all safety instructions, avoid entering unfamiliar/unsafe waters and wear life jackets where required/recommended,” the consulate stated.

A report by the Royal Life Saving Society based in the United Kingdom noted that India had the highest estimated number of drowning among Commonwealth countries, at 54,682 in 2021. 

Canada ranked 19th among Commonwealth nations, with an estimated 298 drowning in 2021.

Meanwhile, there have been cases of non-drowning deaths involving Indian nationals in Canada in recent months. 

The Peoples Gazette reported on Thursday that a 29-year-old Ontario Provincial Police Constable of Indian origin Tarun Bali was crushed to death with a car by a 18-year-old mental health patient, Justin Veronneau earlier this week. 

In late May, a 22-year-old Indian student,Vidhi Megha, was stabbed to death in Canada’s Niagara region. Earlier in March, three Indian nationals were murdered across three Canadian provinces in one week.