Shock accompanied grief after a baby drowned in a bathtub on Friday, as parents digested the tragic consequences of a moment’s inattention.

On the same day, a three-year-old almost drowned in a swimming pool in Gozo.

These followed three tragic accidents in the past month.

The first involved an Italian student who died while holding his breath underwater; the following day an 84-year-old woman drowned at Għadira Bay; and a 20-year-old Cambridge University student also drowned when he was swimming in Comino.

The incidents highlight the dangers associated with water but according to family doctor John Zammit Montebello, drowning is “a very common” cause of accidental death in children and young people.

“It only takes a moment’s inattention and between one or two minutes under water to cause death,” he said.

Near-drowning experiences are also very common, but most go unreported because of somebody’s rapid response to the situation.

Dr Zammit Montebello explained drowning incidents are often made worse because people panic and lose time. A second’s delay, in a two-minute window, can be the difference between life and death.

“Death is more likely to happen rapidly in babies because their reflexes are not yet fully developed. From around three years children develop a gag reflex, which for some time helps prevent water entering the lungs.”

The World Health Organisation defines drowning as when an airway is submerged in liquid, leading to lack of breathing. It is the third highest cause of accidental death.

“Drowning can even occur in two or three inches of water. It all depends how the child ends up in the water and whether there are any underlying medical conditions.”

Drowning does not always result in death but can cause significant neurological damage depending on the time spent underwater.