1,013 recorded, including 268 fatalities: why are there so many drownings in France this year?

It is a real scourge that affects all age groups. 1,013 drownings were recorded in France between June 1 and August 13, 2025, of which 268 resulted in deaths, according to a report by Public Health France .

Compared to 2024, over the same period, there was a 14% increase in these drownings. However, the number of deaths resulting from these drownings remained stable between the two years.

This increase in the number of drownings , which resulted in a transfer to the emergency room, is multifactorial.

Public Health France noted that between June 19 and July 6 alone, during the first heatwave of the summer , "315 drownings were recorded, 86 of which resulted in deaths." "There is a correlation between weather conditions and drownings," Guillaume Turpin, deputy director of coastal operations for the Sea Rescue Service (SNSM), told BFMTV.com.

He explains: "When the temperatures are high, people go swimming more, so proportionally, there are more drownings."

People who go swimming in very hot weather are not always aware of the danger. "When you jump into the water after being in direct sunlight, there is a risk of hydrocution ," says Axel Lamotte, spokesperson for the French Federation of Lifeguards (FFMNS).

The problem is also that at the beginning of this heatwave, particularly in June, not all municipalities had yet implemented beach surveillance. Indeed, while local authority budgets are increasingly restricted, some municipalities are reducing the period of lifeguard surveillance . "Some town halls that offered surveillance from June to September are now only doing so in July and August," adds Axel Lamotte.

Taking into account the increases in drowning over the period from June 1 to August 13, 2025 compared to 2024, it appears that it was mainly 6-12 year olds and adults who were affected this year.

Beyond a lack of knowledge of good practices to adopt when going swimming, there is a more general decline in the level of swimming , according to Axel Lamotte.

Swimming lessons are fewer in schools, partly due to a reduction in the number of lifeguards . "It's an unattractive, poorly paid job with shift work and significant criminal risks. Some prefer to turn to other sectors," he explains.

Added to this are the closures of municipal swimming pools , particularly due to the significant costs they represent for municipalities and some due to their dilapidated condition . "We need a more extensive territorial network," argues the spokesperson for the French Federation of Lifeguards.

To reduce these drownings and related deaths, measures can be implemented. "We absolutely need a drowning prevention policy, as was once the case for road safety," says Axel Lamotte.

This involves, in particular, a training program for lifeguards , longer beach surveillance, but also greater vigilance on the part of everyone.

"You must swim in supervised swimming areas with a first aid station and check that the flag is green or orange . If this is not possible, then you must not go alone and it is important to swim parallel to the beach. Above all, you must stop playing the buoy game, which consists of joining the large buoys 300m from the beach," emphasizes Guillaume Turpin of the SNSM.

He adds: "If there are young children, they must always be observed, even in supervised areas. Swimmers must also enter the water carefully, especially when there is a significant difference between the outside temperature and the water temperature. No one is immune to cramps or discomfort."

For his part, Axel Lamotte recommends going to the pool regularly to be ready for summer. "Aquatic activity all year round is recommended. The pool is a school for swimming, health, and well-being. Going two or three times a week with the family helps avoid the risk of drowning and helps you stay healthy."