Nine people have drowned in the Netherlands coastal waters, lakes and rivers so far this year, rescue workers said on Monday evening.

In 2014 there were nine deaths by drowning in the year as a whole.

‘All the deaths this year involved at least one aspect we have warned about, such as a lack of parental supervision, poor swimming skills and risky behaviour,’ Raymond van Mourik, head of the Dutch lifeguard association, told broadcaster Nos.

‘We have to make it clear to people that water is good fun but it carries risks as well,’ he said.

So far, lifeguards have been called out 6,362 times this summer, which is already 200 more times than in 2014.