Characteristics, circumstances and forensic findings on immersion deaths in Saudi Arabia

Drowning is a preventable cause of death; however, forensic evidence on immersion deaths in coastal areas of Saudi Arabia remains limited.

To describe the characteristics, circumstances and forensic findings on immersion deaths in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

We reviewed and analysed data on 189 cases of immersion deaths referred to Dammam Forensic Medicine Centre from April 1999 to January 2024, including the victims' demographic characteristics, type of water body, cause and manner of death, postmortem findings, and histopathology and toxicology results.

The majority of the victims were male (83%) and aged 26-50 years. Most bodies were recovered from the sea (52%), most cases occurred in Khobar (53%), and deaths were most frequent during summer (47%). Among the 60 autopsied cases, drowning was the most common cause of death (58%), and accidental death accounted for 60% of cases. External examination alone was performed in 68% of cases, and toxicology results were mostly negative (82%).

Immersion deaths in Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia mainly involved adult males and occurred in the coastal areas, particularly during summer. Targeted water safety interventions and comprehensive forensic investigations are needed to prevent immersion deaths in coastal areas of Saudi Arabia.