France heat wave spurs deadly swimming accidents

A heat wave sweeping France, especially the southwest, has driven many people to cool off in the sea and inland waters. On Sunday, two swimmers were swept away by strong currents in natural pools (baïnes) at Lacanau and Lège‑Cap‑Ferret in Gironde, resulting in fatalities. Lifeguard officials note that “il en manque 5 000 en France” (5,000 lifeguards are missing) and that many beaches remain unsupervised due to municipal budget limits. They also warn that swimming proficiency has declined, with “the level of swimming in France has dropped a lot” because of uneven training and more sedentary lifestyles.

Public health data show 409 drowning deaths in France from 1 June to 30 September 2025, a 16 % rise over the previous year. Half of the drownings occurred in rivers, ponds or other water bodies, including 33 minors. A 17‑year‑old boy drowned near a dam in Boissise‑la‑Bertrand (Seine‑et‑Marne), reportedly “aspiré par le courant près du barrage des Vives‑Eaux”. Authorities from the French lifeguard federation and Voies navigables de France urge swimmers to use supervised beaches, stay between the yellow and red flags, swim in pairs, avoid alcohol, and consult official maps of authorised swimming sites.