Drowning numbers rise slightly in France

Health authorities in France report a "moderate" increase in drownings compared to last summer, though the increase is described as "statistically not significant." According to Santé publique France (SpF), 1,511 drownings occurred between May 1 and August 31, 2026, with two out of three not resulting in death but potentially leading to serious aftereffects.

Most drownings are fatal among adults

Of the drownings, nine out of ten were fatal among adults, while 61 children and adolescents also lost their lives, including 30 aged between 13 and 17 years. The vast majority of drownings—both fatal and non-fatal—occurred during "heatwave vigilance" days, which accounted for two-thirds of the period.

Monitoring started earlier to address climate challenges

The monitoring of drownings started a month earlier this year, from May 1, to address challenges posed by climate change, according to SpF. The increase in drownings was primarily observed in May, the first heatwave vigilance period of the year, where 134 drownings were recorded, including 48 fatal ones, compared to 67 and 18 during the same period in 2025.

Drowning trends by heatwave period

During the second heatwave period (June 16 to July 3), 307 drownings were recorded, including 103 fatal ones; during the third (July 4 to July 25), 345 drownings, including 101 fatal ones; during the fourth (July 28 to August 21), 343 drownings, including 92 fatal ones; and during the fifth (August 24 to August 30), 80 drownings, including 18 fatal ones.

Adolescent drownings linked to risk-taking

Among adolescents aged 13 to 17 years, about one in four drownings is fatal, possibly linked to greater risk-taking at this age, particularly among boys. Fatal drownings among adolescents mainly occur in watercourses or water bodies. SpF notes that "inequalities in access" to safe locations may contribute to the issue.

Private pools linked to child drownings

Among children, the high number of fatal drownings in private pools and other artificial swimming areas raises questions about a lack of barriers or alarms, in addition to the lack of adult supervision. While half or more of the fatal drownings occurred at sea in coastal regions, the total number of drownings increased in inland regions without a coastal border, particularly in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, and Île-de-France.

Rise in inland drownings

In Île-de-France, the number of fatal drownings jumped from 28 last year to 47 in 2026, and from 10 to 18 in the Seine-et-Marne department alone. SpF attributes this increase to swimming in natural environments in places that are not equipped or prohibited, particularly during heatwave vigilance periods, and highlights "inequalities in access to safe swimming areas."

Migrant drownings remain underreported

Five fatal drownings of migrants were reported in Pas-de-Calais and Mayotte, but these deaths are described as "difficult to count" and likely underestimated. SpF notes that drowning prevention involves "interministerial policies" and calls for "territorial development actions," including the development of safe swimming areas in regions lacking them, improving access to existing safe areas, and educational actions, such as the generalization of swimming lessons.