Fatal Water Accidents on the Rise in France: Urgent Need to Improve Children’s Swimming Education

Paris – May 28, 2026: Fatal water accidents have increased significantly in France in recent years. According to a report by Santé publique France, a total of 1,418 water accidents were recorded during the summer of 2025 from June 1 to September 30, of which 409 people died. This represents a 14% increase in the number of accidents and a 16% increase in the number of deaths compared to the previous year.

Accidents involving children and adolescents are particularly concerning. While adults make up the largest group with 57% of all injuries, children under 6 years old account for 27%, and those aged between 6 and 17 years account for 16%. Despite having more accidents among children, the mortality rate is much higher among adults at 43%, while it is only 6% for children.

Rachid Benelhaj, Vice President of the French Swimming Federation, criticized the current swimming education for children. In an interview with Franceinfo, he emphasized the need for a fundamental review of the educational methods. He believes that existing measures are insufficient to meet the increasing challenges and to improve the safety of the youngest swimmers in particular.

The increase in water accidents is also related to the rise in extreme heat waves during the summer months. Between June 19 and July 8, 2025, 355 accidents occurred, representing a 135% increase compared to the previous year. The unusually high temperatures led many people to visit natural water bodies such as rivers and lakes more frequently, thereby increasing the risk of water accidents.

Against this background, the French Ministries of Health and Sports have intensified prevention campaigns. The goal is to reduce risks through educational campaigns and strict enforcement, especially to better protect children and adolescents. This also includes encouraging safe swimming habits and continuously improving swimming education in schools and clubs.

Experts call for regular evaluation of existing prevention strategies and adjustment to changing climate conditions. Only a comprehensive review of swimming education combined with effective prevention measures can contribute to reducing water accidents and fatalities in the long term.

Overall, urgent action beyond one-off measures is necessary. To increase safety in and around water, swimming education, educational activities, and rescue services must be more closely linked and coordinated. This is particularly important for vulnerable groups such as young children who lack strong swimming skills and are exposed to higher risks due to the increased burden of heat waves.