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Summary: Objective: Both drowning and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) are diagnoses of exclusion with predominantly nonspecific autopsy findings. We hypothesized that people with epilepsy found dead in water with no clear sign of submersion could be misdiagnosed as SUDEP. Methods: All reported seizure‐related deaths undergoing medicolegal investigation in three medical examiner's offices (New York City, Maryland, San Diego County) over different time periods were reviewed to identify epilepsy‐related drownings and SUDEPs. Drowning cases that fulfilled inclusion criteria were divided into two groups according to the circumstances of death: definite drowning and possible drowning. The SUDEP group included two sex‐ and age (±2 years)‐matched definite SUDEP/definite SUDEP plus cases for each drowning case. Results: Of 1346 deaths reviewed, we identified 36 definite (76.6%) and 11 possible drowning deaths (23.4%), most of which occurred in a bathtub (72.3%). There were drowning‐related findings, including fluid within the sphenoid sinuses, foam in the airways, clear fluid in the stomach content, and lung hyperinflation in 58.3% (21/36) of the definite drowning group, 45.5% (5/11) of the possible drowning group, and 4.3% of the SUDEP group (4/92). There was no difference in the presence of pulmonary edema/congestion between the definite drowning group, possible drowning group, and SUDEP group. The definite drowning group had a higher mean combined lung weight than the SUDEP group, but there was no difference in mean lung weights between the possible drowning and SUDEP groups or between the possible drowning and definite drowning groups. Significance: No distinguishable autopsy finding could be found between SUDEPs and epilepsy‐related drownings when there were no drowning‐related signs and no clear evidence of submersion. SUDEP could be the cause of death in such possible drowning cases. As most drowning cases occurred in the bathtub, supervision and specific bathing precautions could be effective prevention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-intentional child drowning remains a leading cause of child mortality. A related and secondary syndrome is composed of those who drown in impulsive, altruistic attempts to go to the aid of a drowning child. Such 'rescuers' who attempt to save a drowning child may themselves drown, a tragic event we term the AVIR syndrome or aquatic victim-instead-of-rescuer. This study is composed of a five-year (1 July 2002 to 30 June 2007) total population Australian survey, using the National Coroners Information System to identify cases and an analysis of every immersion rescuer-victim dyad where the primary 'victim' was a child and where the 'rescuer' drowned. In Australia (2002-2007), 17 rescuers drowned in 15 incidents in which the primary victim was a drowning child. In 93% of the incidents, the primary 'child-victim' survived, 82% of the victims were unfamiliar with the aquatic location (i.e. were a visitor) and 76% of the victims were a male parent, partner of first-degree relative. Alcohol was not generally involved. We define the AVIR syndrome as one that typically involves the following: a male, parent, partner or relative; an unfamiliar water hazard; a 'rescuer' who is a tourist; alcohol is not usually involved; and the primary victim usually survives. We posit that an increased awareness of such risks, the promotion of rudimentary rescue skills (e.g. being able to throw a lifeline) and increased advocacy for parents to learn the simple and basic life-saving skills of non-contact rescue will help reduce these drowning tragedies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Flood is the most common natural disaster in Australia and causes more loss of life than any other disaster. This article describes the incidence and causes of deaths directly associated with floods in contemporary Australia. Methods: The present study compiled a database of flood fatalities in Australia in the period of 1997–2008 inclusive. The data were derived from newspapers and historic accounts, as well as government and scientific reports. Assembled data include the date and location of fatalities, age and gender of victims and the circumstances of the death. Results: At least 73 persons died as a direct result of floods in Australia in the period of 1997–2008. The largest number of fatalities occurred in New South Wales and Queensland. Most fatalities occurred during February, and among men (71.2%). People between the ages of 10 and 29 and those over 70 years are overrepresented among those drowned. There is no evident decline in the number of deaths over time. 48.5% fatalities related to motor vehicle use. 26.5% fatalities occurred as a result of inappropriate or high-risk behaviour during floods. Conclusion: In modern developed countries with adequate emergency response systems and extensive resources, deaths that occur in floods are almost all eminently preventable. Over 90% of the deaths are caused by attempts to ford flooded waterways or inappropriate situational conduct. Knowledge of the leading causes of flood fatalities should inform public awareness programmes and public safety police enforcement activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the unintentional drowning deaths in Australia. The study aims to determine the feasibility of reducing such deaths by 50% come 2020. Result show that the toll of drowning deaths in the country has reached 1,452 cases from 2002 to 2007, 76.4% of which are male while children aged zero to four have posted the greater risk of drowning. It notes that the 50% reduction goal can be achieved, provided that the reduction rate seen in the study persists.

Two rare cases of lipomas of the adrenal gland are reported. In both cases the tumor was found incidentally at autopsy, in the course of the medicolegal investigation of death. The first case involved a small tumor of the left adrenal gland in a 70-year-old man who died by drowning. In the second case, a previously healthy 45-year-old man died suddenly. At autopsy a lipoma of the right adrenal gland was associated with a pheochromocytoma in the contralateral gland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the recovery by Tunisian coastguards of bodies of victims who drowned off the Libyan coast in August 2014. Topics covered include the establishment of an emergency centre at Ben Guerdane in Tunisia, the warning issued by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) on the impact of unrest in Libya on migrants and the percentage increase in the number of boat migrants arriving in Italy.

The article reports that four migrant boats sunk in waters off Libya, which killed 300 Africans, due to sandstorms known as ghibli. Libyan officials state that four overcrowded boats bound for Italy have departed from the coast near Tripoli between March 28-29, 2009. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone of Japan has pledged US$500 million for Africa at the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) IV on March 21-22, 2009 in Botswana. Moreover, the recovery package will allocate $300 million for food assistance and $200 million for the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.