A sinking passenger ship.

In 2023, there were 12 fatalities in maritime accidents worldwide involving EU-registered ships, and another 8 fatalities in accidents within the EU territorial seas involving ships registered outside the EU.

Between 2019 and 2023, an average of 26 people died worldwide each year in maritime accidents involving EU-registered ships. 

This information comes from data on maritime safety published recently. The article presents a handful of findings from the more detailed Statistics Explained article on maritime accident fatalities in the EU.

People killed in maritime accidents, by region of ship registration, 2019-2023, number. Chart. See link to full dataset below.

Source dataset: tran_sf_marv

Among the 12 fatalities worldwide in accidents involving EU-registered ships in 2023, 7 happened in the Mediterranean Sea, 2 in the North Sea, 1 in Atlantic Ocean and 2 in the rest of the world.

When looking at the type of ship, 5 out of the 12 deaths were reported on cargo ships, 3 on service ships and 1 on each fishing ship, passenger ship and recreational craft, while for 1 death the type of ship was unknown.

Out of the 12 people who died in 2023, 10 were crew members working on ships and 2 were passengers. 

For more information

Methodological notes

  • The data are based on maritime accidents and incidents reported by the accident investigation bodies of the EU Member States, Iceland and Norway to the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA).
  • Marine accident refers to an event (or series of events) directly related to a ship’s operations that results in any of the following:
    • the death of, or serious injury to, a person;
    • the loss of a person from a ship;
    • the loss, presumed loss or abandonment of a ship;
    • material damage to a ship;
    • the stranding or disabling of a ship, or the involvement of a ship in a collision;
    • material damage to marine infrastructure external to a ship, that could seriously endanger the safety of the ship, another ship or an individual; or
    • severe damage to the environment, or the potential for severe damage to the environment, brought about by the damage of a ship or ships. 
    • For full definitions please check the Glossary for transport statistics.

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