Key Points

• Between June 1 and September 30, 2024, there were 1,244 drowning incidents in France, 350 of which resulted in death (representing a 28% fatality rate). These figures are stable compared to those for the same period in 20231.

• During the period from July 16 to August 15, 2024, alone, 576 drownings were recorded, representing a 41% increase compared to the same period in 2023, likely due to successive periods of extreme heat, which created very favorable swimming conditions. For these two two-week periods, there were 146 drowning incidents resulting in death in 2024, compared to 109 in 2023 (+34%).

• During the summer of 2024, 56% of drownings involved adults, 29% involved children under 6, and 15% involved those aged 6–17. The proportion of drownings resulting in death is higher among adults (45% vs. 7% among minors; 9 out of 10 drownings resulting in death involved adults). Drowning deaths in rivers and other bodies of water accounted for half of all drowning deaths across all age groups; for other locations, drowning deaths occurred more frequently in private pools among minors and at sea among adults.

• As in previous years, the number of drownings and deaths remains high in the summer. Drownings occur across all age groups and in all settings. These findings underscore the need to continue drowning prevention efforts for all age groups, particularly during periods of extreme heat and as long as swimming conditions remain favorable.