A total of 40 people have died from drowning in France in the last week as they seek relief from the heat, French prime minister Sébastien Lecornu has said.
Mr Lecornu announced the figures for June 18 to 22 during an interministerial crisis meeting on Tuesday, June 23, noting that most of those who died were young people and calling the situation a "tragic scourge ."
As temperatures climb above 35C, thousands of people have headed for beaches, lakes, and rivers searching for ways to cool off. However, the increase in bathers has led to a steep rise in drownings.
Even before the latest heatwave however France already had high rates of drownings, with the Santé publique France recording 1,418 drownings, including 409 deaths, between June and September 2025.
It is worth noting that the French word for drowning, noyade, refers to any kind of drowning event and does not necessarily mean that the person died.
Heat drives people to the water, it's a basic physiological need. "When it is very hot, the body needs to cool down," Axel Lamotte, head of the Fédération française des maîtres-nageurs sauveteurs, the organisation representing French lifeguards and swimming instructors, told The Connexion. "Water is an extremely effective conductor of heat. It cools or warms the body around 30 times faster than air."
The desire to cool down can push people into environments they do not know well.
France has one of the highest densities of private swimming pools in Europe, with more than 3.7 million across the country, alongside a long coastline and thousands of rivers and lakes.
During heatwaves, this combination means large numbers of people are able to access water quickly and often outside supervised settings.
In contrast, in the United Kingdom, where private pools are less common and cooler summer temperatures generally limit widespread outdoor swimming, only 202 accidental drowning deaths were recorded in 2025, more than half in inland waters such as rivers, lakes and canals.
"Swimming in a pool is not the same thing as swimming in a natural environment," said Mr Lamotte. "Pools are artificial, controlled environments. The water is treated, the depths are known and lifeguards are watching swimmers."
By contrast, natural waterways present dangers that many occasional swimmers fail to anticipate.
"In natural water you cannot always see the bottom. There may be currents, temperature differences, algae, fish or underwater obstacles," he said.
Rivers and lakes can be more dangerous than they appear
While many people associate drowning risks with rough seas, experts warn that inland waterways are often underestimated.
Santé publique France found that around half of all drowning deaths in 2025 occurred in rivers and lakes.
Mr Lamotte said their apparent calm can be deceptive.
"The problem with a river is that you enter the water in one place and the current carries you elsewhere. You may suddenly find yourself somewhere you cannot get out."
Strong currents, sudden drops in depth, submerged objects and poor visibility all increase the danger.
Young people taking risks
Heat exhaustion and medical problems can contribute to drowning among older swimmers, but recent victims were “mostly young people”, according to Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu.
"The nature of youth is to believe you are invincible," said Mr Lamotte.
"Young people do not think about illness, death or disability. They are fit, they run, they jump…and sometimes they jump into water without understanding the risks."
Health authorities have also noted concern over rising numbers of fatal drownings among teenagers. In 2025, 21 adolescents aged 13 to 17 died in drowning incidents, compared with 10 the year before.
Lack of swimming education in France
"People are not learning to swim as well as they should." Mr Lamotte explained.
The federation has repeatedly called for increased investment in swimming education and water safety training.
Learning to swim is important, he argues, but so is learning how to swim in natural environments.
"People need to understand the specific risks of rivers, lakes and the sea. That requires training and practice."
Another factor, according to Mr Lamotte, is a nationwide shortage of trained lifeguards and swimming instructors.
"We are missing thousands of lifeguards in France," he said.
Heat can compound danger
Authorities also warn that high temperatures can directly increase drowning risk.
Long periods in the sun can cause dehydration, fatigue, dizziness and reduced physical performance. Entering cold water suddenly after overheating may also trigger thermal shock, which can lead to loss of consciousness.
For older adults, these risks can be compounded by underlying health conditions or medication.
"For people aged 50, 60 or 70, fatigue is certainly a possibility," Mr Lamotte said. "Some overestimate their strength. It is once again a question of understanding your own abilities in the water."
A study by Santé publique France found that people aged 65 and over are three times more likely than young children to suffer a severe drowning outcome.
Alcohol is another major factor as it impairs judgement, increases risk-taking behaviour and is associated with many drownings.
Swim in supervised areas
Axel Lamotte stressed that the first line of defence is organisation and supervision.
"Swim in supervised areas whenever possible," he said. "Do not overestimate your abilities, and avoid swimming alone."
He also warned against underestimating the dangers of trying to rescue someone in difficulty.
"When someone is drowning, they are not in control of their actions," he said. "They may panic and pull the rescuer under."
He pointed to recent tragedies in which attempts to help ended in further loss of life.
"In Besançon, a young man jumped into the Doubs river to try to save his friend," he said. "He was unable to bring him back to shore, and both died."
According to him, these situations are not rare.
"There are techniques for rescuing someone safely, but they require proper training," he said. "Otherwise, you risk becoming a victim too."
In France, emergency services should be alerted immediately in case of danger in the water by calling 112 or 15.
The official advice remains simple: supervise children continuously, avoid alcohol before swimming, enter water gradually after heat exposure, and choose monitored swimming areas.
As Mr Lamotte put it:
"Water is life. The water in a bottle is life. Niagara Falls is also H2O — but there, it can kill you."
