48 people, 21 more than for the whole of 2014, have drowned in Switzerland since the beginning of the year, the Swiss Rescue Society (SSS) indicated on Thursday.

Among those who lost their lives 38 were men, while 4 women and 6 children account for the remaining fatalities.

According to figures, 44 people lost their lives in lakes and rivers, 2 died as result of diving accidents and 2 in diverse circumstances.

Prolonged high temperatures recorded in Switzerland this summer meant that a greater number of people visited the confederation's many aquatic sources including lakes, rivers and swimming pools.

According to the Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology (MeteoSwiss), August 2015 was one of the hottest recorded since statistics were first compiled 152 years ago.