Increase in drownings in France – which areas and why?
Authorities are also calling for people to stay extra alert this summer
SPF has issued advice for people holidaying near bodies of water this summer
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There was a 14% yearly rise in severe incidents in water in France during last summer (2025), with more than 1,400 incidents and 400 deaths - with the PACA region the worst hit.
Health authority Santé publique France (SPF)* states that the increase in drowning incidents nationwide was due to a very hot and sunny summer, in comparison to the year before (2024). Repeated heatwaves saw crowds flock to the coast and other bodies of water (such as lakes), with a resultant increase in ‘drowning’ incidents.
In French, ‘drowning’ (noyade) means getting into difficulty in water, and does not necessarily mean the victim passed away as a result, unlike the word’s typical meaning in English.
Heatwave effect
Between June 1 and September 30, 2025, there were 1,418 incidents recorded, a rise of 14% in comparison to 2024, said SPF on May 5.
Of these incidents, 409 were fatal. This is a rise of 16% in fatalities year-on-year.
The heatwaves (canicules) of 2025 appear to have contributed to the increase in incidents, the figures show.
Between June 19 and July 18 (canicule one): 355 incidents, of which 106 were fatal. This is a significant rise of 135% in total incidents compared to the previous year, which had 151 incidents, of which 39 were fatal, during the same period.
August 7 to 19 (canicule two): 280 incidents, of which 65 were fatal, compared with 217 and 49 respectively the previous year. This is a rise of 29% in total incidents year-on-year.
Where in France was most affected?
In the same four months (between June 1 and September 30, 2025) the number of incidents was higher in the southern and coastal regions.
Who was most at-risk?
Minors were most affected, SPF said, with 33 deaths in 2025, compared to 22 the previous year.
Children over the age of 10 were particularly represented, SPF said.
Of the 33 deaths recorded, 22 victims were aged 10 or over.
There was an increase in the number of incidents resulting in death among teenagers aged 13–17, with 21 deaths in 2025 compared with 10 in 2024
Children under the age of 6 accounted for just over a quarter of incidents (27%)
Incidents were not confined to the seaside.
Fatal incidents in rivers and lakes accounted for around half of all drowning deaths across all age groups
33 children and adolescents died from drowning in rivers and lakes between June 1 and September 30, 2025 (58% of deaths in this age group) compared with 20 in 2024 over the same period
Minors were more likely to die in a drowning in a private swimming pool, while adults were more likely to die in drownings in the sea.
“The high number of drownings among minors, whether children or adolescents, requires particular attention in terms of prevention due to the greater vulnerability of these age groups,” stated SPF in its bulletin.
People aged 65 and over are three times more likely than children aged 0-5 to experience ‘serious drowning incidents’ (defined as death, cardiopulmonary arrest, unresponsive coma, or prolonged hospitalisation).
Alcohol consumption increases the risk of serious and fatal drowning, SPF added.
Hot weather outside of school holidays
“[The minors] figures should be a particular cause for concern,” said Aymeric Ung, project manager at SPF. “This is the first time [incidents have] started so strongly and so early.”
He explained that this was partly because the weather was particularly hot at a time when the school holidays had not yet begun, and the extra supervision (which is usually in place on the coast and around popular bodies of water during the holidays) had not yet begun.
He said that of the 33 deaths recorded, 21 occurred between June 1 and July 4, which was a period before the start of the summer holidays.
Supervision urged
Mr Ung warned people to only enter water when supervision and extra lifeguards are in place, and the authority has also warned beachgoers to be extra careful in the sea this summer.
“These figures show just how essential prevention is,” said Agnès Verrier, project manager at SPF.
This year, monitoring of drowning incidents will begin from May 1, the authority said.
This is because of the “lengthening of the swimming season against a backdrop of climate change and increasingly mild weather conditions from May onwards”, said Yann Le Strat, scientific director at SPF.
The authority wrote: “Against the backdrop of climate change and the extension of the swimming season, all stakeholders are working together to step up surveillance and prevention measures against drowning.”
It comes after April has already been hotter and sunnier than average in many regions in the country.
Tips to prevent drowning incidents
SPF issued the following advice for people holidaying near bodies of water this summer.
Keep a close and constant watch on young children
Never take your eyes off young children playing near the water
Swim with young children
Assign one adult per child to supervise them whilst swimming
Caregivers are also urged to teach their child to swim and have them take swimming lessons as early as possible, for as many years as possible.
It also said everyone should:
Follow safety instructions and observe swimming bans
Choose supervised swimming areas, secured by professional lifeguards
Check the weather conditions
Listen to your body and postpone swimming if you are tired, unwell, etc.
Let a friend or family member know before you go swimming
Enter the water gradually by wetting your head, neck and stomach to avoid thermal shock, particularly when there is a significant difference between the water and air temperatures (e.g. a cold river on a hot day)
It advised older people or those with health risks to take their fitness level into account before swimming or entering water. People should also ask their doctor or pharmacist for advice, particularly if they have a chronic condition (heart disease, epilepsy) or are taking medication.
People should not operate any boats or jet skis, or go near bodies of water, after drinking alcohol, as it can impair judgement and strength, and increase the risk of hypothermia and other complications.
*Data on near-drowning incidents are sourced from the OSCOUR surveillance network (emergency authority l’Organisation de la surveillance coordonnée des urgences), coordinated by Santé publique France, while data on drowning incidents resulting in death at the scene of the incident are collected by the water safety authority le Système national d'observation de la sécurité des activités nautiques (SNOSAN).
