13 drown in France throughout heatwave weekend as swimming deaths rise

Several youngsters who died have been swimming in forbidden areas.

France’s Sécurité civile has introduced that 13 drowning deaths have occurred nationally since Saturday (June 20), as folks look to escape excessive temperatures throughout a record-breaking heatwave.

The determine contains numerous folks swimming in forbidden areas reminiscent of unsupervised rivers. 

The deaths confirmed by authorities embrace: 

• A 13-year outdated swimming together with his household at Fontaine-le-Port (Seine-et-Marne)

• A 30-year outdated man, confirmed to have been consuming, at Lagny-sur-Marne (Seine-et-Marne)

• A 28-year outdated man on the lac d’Hommes (Indre-et-Loire) 

• A 17-year outdated within the Clain river close to Poitiers (Vienne)

• A 17-year outdated in Port-Sainte-Foy-et-Ponchapt (Dordogne)

• A 15-year-old on the Malo-les-Bains seaside, Dunkirk (Nord)

• Two folks aged over 70 at a swimming pool gîte within the Drôme division

• Two youngsters alongside the Doubs river close to Besançon (Doubs)

In the latter case, the youngsters have been swimming in an space of the river that was ‘baignade interdite’ or off-limits to swimmers.

These areas are sometimes alongside rivers or seashores which can be unsupervised by lifeguards and the place unpredictable and highly effective currents are attainable. 

A person died final week in Hérault after leaping in to avoid wasting his daughter from drowning on a stretch of river the place swimming was banned. 

The figures – in addition to a variety of deaths recorded through the May heatwave – level in direction of one other sombre yr for drowning statistics in France. 

In the summer time of 2025, 409 drowning deaths have been recorded, 14% greater than in 2024, with the most important improve in victims being youngsters.

More than 1,400 circumstances of drowning have been recorded. France differs from different nations in that ‘drowning’ doesn’t essentially entail demise however reasonably that an individual wanted to be saved from a physique of water. 

This contains incidents in swimming swimming pools (the place the vast majority of accidents with younger kids happen) in addition to rivers, seas, and lakes.

Tips to remain secure when swimming

Swimming stays an efficient option to quiet down through the heatwave, however authorities are urging folks to swim safely to keep away from the chance of drowning and demise. 

If swimming with younger kids, you need to guarantee they’re watched always. This applies each to swimming in public areas in addition to non-public swimming swimming pools in gardens, and so forth. 

This contains above-ground swimming pools, which would not have the protection options of built-in swimming pools; 

Children needs to be given armbands in the event that they have no idea the best way to swim, and be taught the best way to put their head underwater so they don’t panic if this occurs. 

France’s Sports ministry has a collection of movies to assist parents teach children safety in the water. 

Do not drink alcohol earlier than swimming, make sure you enter water slowly and thoroughly to keep away from chilly water shock, keep hydrated and keep away from being in direct daylight. 

Do not overestimate your bodily skills – cramp and sudden modifications in swimming circumstances can rapidly make a easy swim a feat of endurance, and you need to all the time have vitality reserves to get out of hassle. 

Remember your French emergency numbers – 196 is the quantity for hassle at sea (though this usually applies to folks in boats or caught on rocks at excessive tide, and never swimmers within the ocean). 

The most necessary recommendation nevertheless stays avoiding harmful areas. 

Do not swim in rivers and lakes when you have no idea the currents or depth, and completely keep away from areas the place ‘swimming forbidden’ indicators are put in.