France Links Sharp Rise in Drownings to Prolonged Heatwaves
BBC News - 23 August 2026
France has seen 301 drownings since 19 June, a government minister has said, linking the sharp rise in deaths compared to last year to the prolonged heatwaves.
Marina Ferrari, Sports and Youth Minister, told France Inter radio the number of deaths - a 14% hike on 2025 - was a "tragic toll".
France, Spain, and Italy have been hit by heatwaves, triggering massive wildfires that scorched thousands of hectares of land. Ferrari said people have been taking risks by going into the water, adding: "Many deadly accidents have occurred in areas that are not authorised or supervised for swimming."
She noted several drownings occurred in "open water, in canals for example".
Ferrari said the government was working with regional authorities "to improve swimming areas and make things safer". She further explained that "sudden immersion in cold water on a hot day could cause shock, and in some cases, people can also exceed their physical capabilities".
In June, Ferrari had previously warned that too many people were trying to cool off in rivers and canals without necessarily taking the risks into account.
Climate change is driving up temperatures around the world - but particularly in Europe. France recorded 7,300 excess deaths between June and 22 July, according to provisional figures from the public health authorities.