Drowning remained the top killer of Shanghai primary and secondary school students in 2012, according to a report by the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission.

The report, released on Monday, said 56 students died in safety incidents in 2012, 16 fewer than the previous year.

Most of the injuries occurred during sports and games activities.

Of the 56 deaths, nearly half died from drowning. Most of the drowning incidents happened in suburban areas, where students swim or wash in unattended rivers, according to the report.

Traffic accidents were the second most common cause for student deaths, accounting for 18 percent, it said.

Three students committed suicide last year.

Officials said the number of suicides have decreased significantly from 2011 when 13 young people killed themselves, because of effective intervention efforts.

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