SYDNEY, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Alcohol consumption continues to play a "significant role" in drowning cases in Australia's Victoria state, Australian media reported on Monday.
Eight of the 43 drownings in the latest annual period were linked to alcohol consumption, the Australian Associated Press cited the Victorian Drowning Report as saying.
Forty percent of all drownings and more than half of "near drowning" cases occurred last summer, prompting authorities to advise people to be more careful around the water this year.
Alcohol is responsible for a "considerable burden of death, disease and injury in Australia", according to the National Health and Medical Research Council.
"Drinking is a major factor in much of the injury resulting from road crashes and other accidents, and in social problems such as violence, family breakdown and child abuse and neglect," according to its website.
