Heat Waves Drive 301 Drownings in France, Says Sports Minister

Sun Sep 06 2026 09:25:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

France's drowning toll rose 14% this summer as heatwaves trigger risky water‑bathing, ministers warn.

French sports and youth minister Marina Ferrari said 301 people have died since June 19, a sharp rise linked to the prolonged heatwave that has also fueled wildfires across the Mediterranean. The government blames the surge on people taking risks by swimming in unregulated canals, rivers, and private pools. Many victims were elderly; sudden cold shock is blamed for some deaths. The minister urged authorities to improve safe swimming areas and warned of continuing climate‑driven heat extremes.

France links rise in drownings to heatwaves

A man jumps into the water as people gather along the banks of the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris, France — Photo: 29 July 2026

France has seen 301 drownings since 19 June, a government minister has said, linking the sharp rise in deaths compared to last year to the prolonged heatwaves.

Sports and Youth Minister Marina Ferrari told France Inter the death toll — a 14% increase on 2025 — was a “tragic toll”.

France, Spain and Italy have all been hit by heatwaves that have sparked millions of hectares of wildfire damage across Europe.

Ferrari said people are taking risks by entering water, especially because many accidents happen in areas that are not authorised or supervised for swimming.

She added that several drownings took place in open water such as canals, and that those in private pools are also at danger.

The government is working with regional authorities to improve swimming areas and make them safer. Ferrari warned that sudden immersion in cold water on a hot day can cause shock, and people can also exceed their physical limits.

In June, Ferrari had warned that "too many people were trying to cool off in rivers and canals without necessarily taking the risks into account." Read more.

Climate change is driving up temperatures worldwide — especially in Europe, where the warming trend is now twice the global average. The Copernicus climate service says the heat has been record‑setting.