France sees surge in heat‑related drownings as temperatures climb

A sharp rise in drownings has been recorded across France as the early heat wave drives crowds to rivers, lakes and seas. In the past week at least 43 people have died – 40 announced by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu plus a six‑year‑old in Gironde, a 17‑year‑old in Seine‑et‑Marne and a 70‑year‑old in Briançon. The 2025 summer already tops the previous record with 1,418 drownings between 1 June and 30 September, a 14 % increase over last year. Experts link the rise to higher temperatures prompting unsupervised swims in unsuitable locations. Axel Lamotte of the French Lifesavers Federation warned, “If we continue at this rate, we will approach 1 000 deaths by the end of summer.”

Health officials note that young children, the elderly and over‑confident adolescents are most vulnerable. They call for a nationwide water‑safety program, including a free aquatic‑security certificate for primary‑school children and an increase of 5 000‑7 000 lifeguards. Meanwhile, lifeguards are dispelling the long‑standing myth that swimmers must wait three hours after eating. The real danger is thermal shock – a sudden plunge into cool water while the body is overheated can cause a rapid blood‑pressure rise and loss of consciousness. The focus is now on recognizing signs of heat‑induced stress rather than meal‑timing.