Overview

• Santé publique France reported 702 drowning incidents and 193 deaths between June 1 and July 23, representing increases of 50% and 45% compared with the same period in 2024.
• During the June 19–July 6 heat wave alone, 315 drownings occurred and 86 were fatal, more than double the figures from the equivalent stretch last year.
• Twenty-seven children and adolescents drowned this summer versus 15 in 2024, and fatal drownings of minors in watercourses rose from four to 15.
• Fatal incidents were recorded primarily at sea (79), followed by watercourses (58), inland bodies of water (30) and private pools (24), with nearly half of deaths in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Occitanie, Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
• Authorities warn that bathing bans at unsupervised sites must be obeyed and that alcohol consumption significantly increases the risk of drowning.