55 drowning deaths since the start of the heatwave in France

Paris – 26.06.2026: Since the start of the current heatwave in France, at least 55 people have died by drowning. Sports Minister Marina Ferrari announced this on Friday in an interview with Franceinfo. She urgently called on the public to exercise extreme caution when swimming in rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water. Persistently high temperatures are leading to an increase in trips to the water, significantly raising the risk of accidents.

The current heatwave has kept large parts of the country on edge for weeks. In addition to health problems, the number of water accidents is now also rising noticeably. Young people and families seeking relief from the intense heat in natural waters are particularly affected. However, many of these places are not supervised, meaning the risk of water accidents is considerable. The responsible authorities stressed that swimming unsupervised in open water always involves risks and that current warnings should be carefully observed.

The number of drowning victims already clearly exceeds the average for previous years at the same time of year. The government is strengthening prevention campaigns, increasing supervision by lifeguards, and promoting coordinated cooperation among local emergency teams. Police and rescue services urge the public to behave responsibly and not take unnecessary risks.

Minister Ferrari urged swimmers to strictly follow safety rules, avoid consuming alcohol while in the water, and pay particular attention to children. The central message is that the temptation to cool off must never endanger one’s own safety or that of family members. Municipalities are encouraged to intensify their information and monitoring measures in bathing areas in order to prevent dangers in time.

As part of national heat protection plans, the French government plans to implement additional protective measures. These include better coordination among the relevant ministries and intensified public communication to warn about the risks of water accidents during periods of high temperatures.

In light of the increase in extreme heat events due to climate change, the minister stressed the need for permanent adaptations in recreational safety. The recent tragic incidents show that greater monitoring and comprehensive prevention work are essential to protect human lives.

The current situation demonstrates that the heatwave poses not only health risks but also major safety challenges for France. A coordinated response by state authorities and the public is crucial to prevent further drowning deaths and ensure safety in water areas.