Economic Losses Due to Disasters Increased Worldwide in 2017
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- Published: Wednesday, 20 December 2017 14:00
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Geneva, Dec 20 .- Swiss insurance and reinsurance company Swiss Re reported today that economic losses due to disasters accumulate 306 billion dollars this year, an increase compared to previous data.
The aforementioned source indicated that insured losses totaled 136 billion dollars, above the average of the 10 most recent years, and third highest figure in the 47 years that Swiss Re makes these calculations.
This is explained by the impact of catastrophes in the United States, a market where insurance coverage is very high.
The accumulation of losses occurred particularly in the second half of the year due to extreme weather events, in particular, the damages caused by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, which passed through the United States and the Caribbean.
Another issue reflected in the report points to fires in California.
The information collected by Swiss Re indicates that more than 11,000 people died or disappeared in the disasters that occurred throughout this year, a figure very close to that of 2016.
Disasters of natural origin accounted for almost all insured losses (131 billion dollars) in 2017, compared to 65 billion last year. (Prensa Latina)
