Looking for a little coolness when the thermometer is racing is a very understandable reflex. Rivers, lakes, canals and streams attract thousands of French people every summer looking for a moment of respite from the heat. But these improvised swims, often practiced outside supervised areas, can also turn into a tragedy. Since this weekend, several fatal accidents have occurred across the country, pushing the authorities to renew their calls for caution.
Thirteen deaths by drowning in one weekend
The list of victims continues to grow. According to Civil Security, thirteen people have died by drowning since Saturday evening in France.
Faced with this particularly heavy toll, Jérôme Boulanger, national spokesperson for Civil Security, calls on the French to redouble their vigilance on Here Paris. While many departments remain on heat wave alert, he reminds us that while cooling off is essential, swimming must take place in designated and supervised sites.
The authorities also remind that a child in the water must be constantly supervised by an adult, even if he or she is wearing armbands or a buoy.
Several teenagers lose their lives while swimming
In Seine-et-Marne, two fatal drownings occurred a few minutes apart on Sunday evening.
A 13-year-old girl, who was swimming with her family in the Seine, lost her life after finding herself in difficulty in the water. Moments later, a 38-year-old man also drowned after jumping into the water to cool off.
The tragedy also struck Besançon on Saturday. Two teenagers aged 11 and 13, according to the local press, lost their lives in the waters of the Doubs, while they were swimming in an area where swimming is prohibited. According to initial evidence, one of the boys disappeared beneath the surface. His friend then tried to help him before also being dragged into the depths.
A few days earlier, in Vaucluse, a young man who was swimming in the Durance, near Avignon, had also disappeared after jumping into the river. His friend, worried about not seeing him resurface, quickly raised the alarm. Here again, the danger of rivers, often underestimated during periods of extreme heat, is highlighted.
Swimming that remains dangerous, even for good swimmers
Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician and medical director of True Medical, recalls that wild swimming carries many risks, including for experienced swimmers.
“More than one in two drownings occurring in rivers or canals results in death”underlines the emergency doctor.
The danger is not limited to the risk of drowning. Under the surface, invisible obstacles can also be hidden: concrete blocks, metal debris, piles or very shallow areas likely to cause serious trauma during a dive.
Currents also represent a formidable trap, particularly near dams or locks. “Even good swimmers can find themselves in great difficulty”warns the doctor.
Thermal shock, an often overlooked risk
After prolonged exposure to the sun, immersing yourself suddenly in cold water can cause hydrocution. This thermal shock can lead to discomfort, loss of consciousness, or even cardiac arrest.
Dr. Kierzek therefore recommends entering water gradually to allow the body to adapt to the temperature difference.
Another lesser known danger: water pollution. Urban rivers and canals can contain bacteria responsible for gastroenteritis, ear infections, urinary infections and even skin irritations.
Precautions to take to cool off safely
To limit the risks, specialists recommend:
- To favor supervised swimming areas;
- Never bathe alone;
- To avoid swimming in unauthorized rivers and canals;
- Never dive from a bridge or dam;
- To enter the water gradually to avoid hydrocution;
- To monitor children constantly, without distraction;
- To call for help immediately if a person finds themselves in difficulty.
In 2025, 409 people died from drowning in France, according to Public Health France, an increase of 16% compared to the previous year. A tragic reminder that the pursuit of freshness should never come at the expense of safety.