Rising Drowning Deaths Amid Heatwave in France
Since last Thursday, France has recorded forty drowning deaths linked to the ongoing heatwave, according to Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu. The country is experiencing record-breaking temperatures across several major cities as the heatwave intensifies throughout Europe.
Despite public bathing being permitted at the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris, the government has issued warnings against swimming in unsupervised areas.
"It's not something to be taken lightly, going swimming in unsupervised areas during a heatwave," sports and youth minister Marina Ferrari told French radio.
Heatwave Impact Across Europe
France, Spain, and Italy have been the most severely affected by the heatwave so far. On Monday, France recorded its hottest June day on record and its warmest night ever, with a minimum average temperature of 21.6°C, according to Météo France. More than half of the country remains under red alert for extreme heat.
In Spain, temperatures are expected to exceed 40°C in some regions, with red alerts active in Andalusia in the south, and Cantabria and the Basque Country in the north, marking the third day of a nationwide heatwave.
Spain is particularly vulnerable to climate change effects compared to most European countries. The state weather service Aemet reports that June heatwaves are becoming more frequent, with ten recorded in mainland Spain between 2000 and 2025, compared to just two in the preceding 25 years.
Italy has declared a red heatwave alert in 15 cities, including Rome, Milan, Florence, Turin, and Venice. This alert indicates conditions that pose health risks even to healthy adults, not only to the elderly or chronically ill.
Risks of Swimming in Natural Waters
France's sports minister highlighted that many individuals are attempting to cool off in rivers and canals without fully considering the associated risks.
Among the drowning fatalities was a 13-year-old girl who drowned after swimming with her family in the River Seine at Fontaine-La Port on Sunday evening; she was unable to swim.
The Golfech nuclear power plant in southwestern France was forced to shut down on Monday night due to rising temperatures in the River Garonne.
Additionally, a young professional footballer was reported to be in critical condition after being rescued from the River Rhône in a park near Lyon. Emergency services responded to assist four young men who encountered difficulties in a section of the river where swimming is prohibited.
Two other deaths on Monday were attributed to the extreme heat in France, involving children aged two and four who were found in their family car in a parking lot in the southern city of Carpentras.
Heatwave Effects Extend to Germany
Germany has also experienced several drowning incidents as temperatures are forecasted to reach up to 40°C in the west and southwest by the end of the week. The German Lifesaving Association (DLRG) reported six fatal swimming incidents between Friday and Sunday, noting that men often overestimate their swimming abilities.
Temperature Extremes in Spain
Spain's Aemet weather service forecasts temperatures could surpass 44°C in rural areas near the southern city of Córdoba on Tuesday, with the Ebro valley in the northeast potentially exceeding 42°C. On Monday, 101 of Aemet's 828 weather stations recorded temperatures at or above 40°C, with a peak of 45°C in Andújar.
"There is evidence that heatwaves were now taking place more frequently at the start of summer than in previous decades," Aemet's Rubén del Campo told Spanish media.
Italy's Protective Measures for Workers
In response to the heatwave, the Italian government has reinstated emergency labor protections aimed at shielding workers most exposed to sunlight, such as those in agriculture and construction, from working during the hottest hours.
Companies that suspend or reduce operations due to dangerous heatwaves can now access state-backed furlough support.
Impact on Nuclear Power Operations
The heatwave also necessitated the shutdown of the Golfech nuclear power plant in southwestern France on Monday night, as water temperatures in the River Garonne were projected to reach 28°C on Tuesday. French regulations prohibit using cooling water exceeding this temperature for nuclear reactors.
