Key Points

• Between June 1 and August 13, 2025, there were 1,013 drowning incidents in France, 268 of which resulted in death (representing a 26% fatality rate). In 2025, the total number of drownings increased compared to 2024 for the same period: 1,013 versus 886, respectively, or a 14% increase. The number of drownings resulting in death remained generally stable between 2024 and 2025 during this same period.

• During the period from June 19 to July 6, 2025 alone (heat wave alert period), 315 drownings were recorded, including 86 resulting in death, compared to 130 and 36, respectively, during the same period in 2024—representing a 142% increase in the total number of drownings and a 139% increase in drownings resulting in death between the two periods. The weather conditions during this period likely led to a surge of people heading to swimming areas to cool off, at a time when surveillance of natural sites had not yet been systematically implemented.

• The increase in the total number of drownings between June 1 and August 13, 2025, compared to the same period in 2024, affected children aged 6–12 and adults. For drownings resulting in death, 37 children and adolescents died in 2025, compared to 28 in 2024. Among children and adolescents, 16 drowning incidents resulting in death in waterways (43% of all locations) were recorded in 2025, compared to 6 in 2024 during the same period.

• In 2025 compared to 2024, the number of drowning deaths at sea increased by 40% (113 vs. 81), primarily involving adults.

• These results underscore the urgent need to continue drowning prevention efforts for all age groups, particularly in advance of and during periods of extreme heat. The risk of drowning while swimming in natural, undeveloped, and unsupervised environments (rivers, lakes, and the sea) is real and increases with alcohol consumption. Regulations (including swimming bans) must be followed regardless of age.