France records 40 drowning deaths amid heatwave, mostly young people

France is grappling with a deadly heatwave that has claimed 40 lives by drowning since June 18, with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu highlighting that the victims were "mainly young people." These are the "first victims of the crisis we are experiencing," he stated during a crisis meeting.

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The latest figure that has just been communicated to us is 40 deaths since June 18, mainly young people.

The nation is experiencing its second heatwave in less than a month, with temperatures soaring. Ninety percent of the population is under extreme heat alerts, with forecasts predicting peaks of up to 44°C in the southwest. This intense heat is a stark reminder of the August 2003 heatwave, which caused approximately 15,000 deaths in France.

Minister of Sports Marina Ferrari urged caution, warning against swimming in unsupervised areas during extreme heat and emphasizing the importance of using only monitored locations. The severity of the situation is underscored by a tragic incident where a young second-division footballer suffered a severe brain injury after drowning in a prohibited area of the Rhone River near Lyon. Additionally, two young children were found dead in a car, and three elderly individuals died in their homes.

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These are the first victims of the crisis we are experiencing.

France recorded its highest average temperature for June on Monday at 29.2°C, and the hottest night on record early Tuesday with an average of 21.6°C. Meteorologists attribute the increasing intensity of extreme weather phenomena, like this heatwave, to human-caused climate change.

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We have today significant heat, with people who do not necessarily take the care to wet themselves well before diving into the water and who risk vasovagal syncope or heatstroke in rather cool water.