France links sharp rise in drownings to heatwaves

A government minister says people have been taking risks by going into the water, with 301 deaths since 19 June. France has seen 301 drownings since 19 June, a government minister has said, linking the sharp rise in deaths from last year to a series of prolonged heatwaves. Sports and Youth Minister Marina Ferrari told France Inter radio the number of deaths - a 14% hike on 2025 - was a "tragic toll" [1].

Sources

1. bbc.co.uk · France links sharp rise in drownings to heatwaves Aug 23, 2026

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