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Water accidents left 242 people dead or missing nationwide in July and August, marking a third consecutive year-on-year increase, the National Policy Agency said.

In a preliminary report, the NPA said Sept. 13 the number of accidents at sea, in rivers and other bodies of water during the two months rose to 488, up 35 from a year ago.

Those situations involved 601 people, up 33 from a year ago. The figure of 242 dead or declared missing marked an increase of six.

The agency is urging people to don life jackets in the water or when going fishing.

The number of accidents involving junior high school students or younger children came to 68, up 19 from a year ago.

Those instances involved 105 children, down one from a year ago. The figure includes 18 deaths, an increase of two.

Of those who died or were listed as missing, 117 met with accidents at sea, followed by 88 in rivers and 20 in waterways.

Okinawa Prefecture accounted for 13 of those people, the largest number among all prefectures. Tokyo, Toyama and Fukuoka prefectures followed with 11 each.

MOUNTAIN MISHAPS

In a separate report, the NPA said the number of mountain accidents fell to 660 nationwide in July and August, down 78 from a year ago.

Still, the figure was the fourth highest since records began to be kept in 1968.

A total of 736 people were involved, down 73 from a year ago. Of those, 52 died or were listed as missing, a decrease of nine.

Nagano reported 116 accidents, the largest number among all prefectures, accounting for nearly 20 percent of the total.

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