France has recorded 301 drowning deaths since June 19, with the government linking the sharp increase to the prolonged heatwave affecting the country.
Sports and Youth Minister Marina Ferrari told Interradio France that the number of drowning deaths was 14% higher than in 2025, describing the rise as a “tragic casualty” of the extreme heat.
France, Spain and Italy have experienced intense heatwaves, which have also fueled devastating wildfires that burned thousands of hectares of land.
Ferrari warned that people are taking dangerous risks to escape the heat by entering the water. “Many fatal accidents occur in areas where swimming is not allowed or supervised,” she said.
The minister added that several drowning incidents occurred in open-water locations, including canals, where strong currents and limited visibility can increase the danger.
Ferrari said the French government is working with local authorities “to improve swimming areas and make them safer.”
She said many drownings, particularly among older people, had also occurred in private swimming pools.
The minister warned that suddenly entering cold water during a hot day can cause thermal shock and, in some cases, place a person beyond their physical capacity.
In June, Ferrari issued a further warning: Too many people tried to cool off in rivers and canals without fully considering the risks.
Climate change is driving temperatures higher worldwide, with Europe experiencing particularly rapid warming and increasingly frequent heatwaves.
Europe is the fastest-warming continent, heating at roughly twice the global average, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service, external.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk