Key Points

• Between June 1 and July 23, 2025, there were 702 drowning incidents in France, 193 of which resulted in death (representing a 27% fatality rate). In 2025, the total number of drownings and drownings resulting in death rose sharply compared to the same period in 2024: 702 vs. 468 (a 50% increase) and 193 vs. 133 (a 45% increase), respectively.

• These increases occurred amid relatively high temperatures, which likely led to an influx of people to swimming areas to cool off. During the period from June 19 to July 6, 2025 alone (heat wave alert period), 315 drownings were recorded, 86 of which resulted 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 increase in the total number of drownings in 2025 compared to 2024 affected all age groups. For drownings resulting in death, 27 children and adolescents died in 2025, compared to 15 in 2024. In 2025, the proportion of drownings resulting in death was particularly high among 13- to 17-year-olds (30%) compared to the same period in 2024 (13%). Among children and adolescents, 15 drowning incidents resulting in death in waterways (56% of all locations) were recorded in 2025, compared to 4 in 2024 during the same period.

• 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/the sea) is real and increases with alcohol consumption. Regulations (including swimming bans) must be followed regardless of age.