France links sharp rise in drownings to prolonged heatwaves
France faces a sharp rise in drownings amid sustained heatwaves across Europe, with 301 deaths since 19 June and a 14% increase from last year. Authorities link the toll to risky cooling in open water and unmonitored swimming areas, noting many incidents involve the elderly and occur in rivers, canals, and private pools. Officials are collaborating with regional authorities to improve supervised swimming areas and safety measures as heat-driven conditions persist. The episode underscores broader climate-linked stress on public health and infrastructure, with ongoing heat and wildfires shaping conditions across the region and prompting policy responses.
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France reported 301 drownings since 19 June, marking a notable rise in deaths compared with 2025, according to Sports and Youth Minister Marina Ferrari.
Ferrari attributed the spike to prolonged heatwaves driving more people to water and to drowning incidents occurring in areas not authorised or supervised for swimming, including open-water sites and canals.
She emphasized that many deaths occurred among the elderly in individual pools and warned that sudden immersion in cold water on hot days can cause shock or overwhelm physical capacity.
June's heatwave pressured infrastructure, with the River Garonne water temperature exceeding 28C, forcing a temporary shutdown of the Golfech nuclear plant and affecting cooling water regulations.
The period also saw widespread wildfires, notably in Gironde near Bordeaux, displacing more than 200,000 people, highlighting the broader environmental toll of the heat.
France has recorded 7,300 excess deaths between late May and 22 July as authorities monitor the health impact of extreme heat and fire events.
Officials stressed ongoing collaboration with regional authorities to improve swimming areas and safety, signaling a policy and infrastructure response to heat-induced risks.