Accidents are one of the main killers in Greenland, responsible for 16% of deaths but 34% of potential years of life lost (PYLL). During 1968-89, 1310 deaths from accidents were recorded, equivalent to a mortality rate of 118 per 100,000 person-years-more than six times higher than in Denmark. There was a decreasing secular trend but only for certain types of accidents. Mortality rates were considerably higher in indigenous Greenlanders than in Danes, higher in males than in females and higher in settlements than in towns. Most accidents were related to the Greenlandic life style with drowning and boat accidents responsible for 45% of all fatal accidents, and injuries due to fire, cold, firearms or bites of dogs responsible for 23%. In certain age groups and in particular in females, at least 60% of the fatal accidents were alcohol related.