The summer of 2025 promises to be particularly deadly in French waters. Since June 1, 702 aquatic accidents have been identified, including 193 fatal, an increase of 50 % compared to last year over the same period. Faced with this alarming observation, the government sounds the alarm and calls for increased vigilance around the bodies of water.
A high voltage summer
As of June, the figures changed in concern: 101 deaths by drowning were recorded, against 68 in June 2024. The multiplication of scorching episodes prompted thousands of French people to refresh themselves in the seas, rivers, lakes or pools, often without taking into account the risks incurred.
Sea, river or private pool: no place escapes tragic statistics. And behind these figures, it is often family dramas that could have been avoided.
Why so many drownings?
The authorities evoke several aggravating factors:
- In very young children, accidents are almost always linked to a release of surveillance. Inattention of a few seconds may be enough to switch a tragedy swim;
- In adults and adolescents, accidents are often linked to overestimation of physical capacities, especially in a natural environment. The rivers, rivers and lakes are sometimes crossed by sneaky currents or natural traps (baïnes, ripping currents) poorly known to the general public;
- Swimming out of watched areas, often in unfavorable weather conditions, as the drama of June 25 sadly illustrated it in Hérault, where 13 drownings were identified in a single day, including a death in Marseillan-Plage, despite the alerts of “dangerous waves”.
A government campaign in response
Faced with the emergency, the Ministry of Sports has launched a national prevention campaign with an unequivocal slogan: “You hold them, do not leave them!”
Minister Marie Barsacq recalled that aquatic security is a collective responsibility, insisting in particular on parental vigilance, training in first aid, and the importance of avoiding unwolished swimming.
Radio spots, videos, publications on social networks and animations on beaches hammered the same message: swimming cannot be improvised.
A glaring lack of means
If the prevention campaigns are increasing, the land remains under-equipped. In France :
- Shortage of rescuers on beaches and rivers;
- Lack of lifeguards, especially to train children from an early age;
- Aging public swimming pools, often closed or during reduced hours, depriving thousands of children from fundamental learning.
Nearly 500,000 students in France do not have access to a swimming pool in their schooling, according to a SNEP-FSU survey. However, 29 % of drownings concern children under the age of 6.
The call to a national “thousand swimming pool” plan
In a platform published in The Parisianthe Olympic champions Florent Manaudou and Alain Bernard call to relaunch a large investment plan in French swimming pools, inspired by the “Mille Piscines” of the 1970s. The idea? Give each child the opportunity to learn to swim, whatever their place of life.
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games left reusable pools. Part of the 75 million euros in surpluses could, according to them, be invested in this ambitious plan. A concrete and vital heritage, to save lives.
Safety vital reminders
Here are some essential rules to prevent drowning this summer:
- Never leave a child alone, even in little water;
- Bathing only in supervised areas and respecting the signaling flags;
- Never dive without checking the depth;
- Avoid swimming after a meal, in case of fatigue, or under the influence of alcohol;
- Do not fight the current if you are swept away: swim in parallel with the shore to get out of the current.
One watchword: Vigilance
Each summer, between 400 and 500 deaths by drowning are identified in France. Last year, this figure reached 350 dead for 1,244 drowning identified. The summer of 2025 promises to be even more dramatic if nothing changes.
Each drowning is avoidable. This silent, fast, sometimes invisible drama concerns us all.
Because knowing how to swim, monitor, preventing it is simple gestures that save lives.
In case of emergency:
Immediately call 15 or 112
Take the water victim out if it can be done without danger
Immediately start the heart massage if the person no longer breathes
This summer 2025 is a tragic reminder that water, as refreshing as it is, remains a dangerous environment. It is urgent that the public authorities, families and citizens take the question of drowning on the other hand: by strengthening human resources, modernizing infrastructure, and instilling in an early age a culture of aquatic security.