Twenty drown during UK heatwave – WHO calls for action

Two teenage boys have died in separate incidents after getting into difficulty in water, as the death toll from drownings during the UK’s heatwave reaches at least 20.

A 19-year-old was rescued from the sea in St Anne’s near Blackpool but later died – while a 16-year-old drowned in Loch Lomond.

With many people expected to head for the coast now the school holidays have begun, safety campaigners are urging everyone to be aware of the dangers of open water.