Eurostat reported that 13 seafarers died in 2024 in incidents involving ships flying the flag of States compared to 11 in the previous year, while fatal accidents in EU territorial waters that have resulted in involved non-EU flag ships resulted in the death of of nine people compared to 22 in 2023. Eurostat pointed out that all 13 victims of accidents that occurred on registered cars in the EU in 2024 lost their lives in the EU seas.

Specifically, in 2024 seven people died in the Ocean 53.8%, five people died in the Atlantic Sea Mediterranean and one in the North Sea, equal to 38.5% respectively and 7.7%. No deaths were recorded in the Baltic Sea, in the Black, in the English Channel and in other regions of the world.

Last year the highest number of seafarer deaths (nine) has occurred in accidents involving fishing vessels registered in the EU, accounting for 69.2% of the total, while in 2023 out of These boats there was only one death. In 2024 Two deaths occurred in accidents involving ships passengers, with a decrease of -85.7% compared to 2022 when they were 14 deaths were recorded, but with an increase compared to 2023 when no deaths have occurred. No deaths have been also recorded in the latter category of ships in 2020 and 2020. 2021. Regarding accidents involving ships cargo, two seafarers died in 2024 and - Eurostat noted - although this confirms the overall downward trend observed since 2021 (-85.7% between 2021 and 2024) was recorded a temporary increase in 2023 when the number of has risen from three in 2022 to six. In 2024, there were no deaths occurred in accidents involving boats for inland navigation, pleasure boats and service naval vehicles. In previous years, the number of victims was low status for the latter types of ships, with the highest number of recorded in 2021 for service ships (four victims).

The European Statistical Office found that in the period 2020-2024 the number of people who lost their lives in accidents involving EU vessels around the world recorded annual fluctuations. As of 2020, the number of increased from 16 to 29 in 2022 and this could be explained by the resumption of activities maritime after the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2023, the number of decreased significantly to 11, followed by a slight increase to 13 in 2024. On average, in the period 2020-2024 there were 19 deaths have occurred per year.