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🇫🇷 France /Disasters & Emergencies

France reports 139 drowning deaths amid heatwave; Germany sees record fatalities

From Le Figaro · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Ongoing story
  • France has recorded 139 drowning deaths since June 19 amid a heatwave, a figure higher than the same period last year.
  • The country is also experiencing an early and intense fire season, with 32 arrests made for arson, some involving repeat offenders.
  • Germany also reported a record number of drowning deaths in June, with 99 fatalities linked to high temperatures.

France is grappling with a deadly combination of extreme heat and its consequences, as Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez reported 139 drowning deaths since June 19. This figure represents an increase compared to the same period last year, highlighting the escalating risks associated with heatwaves.

139 drownings since June 19. In the same period last year, we were at more than 110.

— Laurent NuñezThe Interior Minister provided the latest figures on drowning deaths in France.

The nation is also facing an unusually early and severe fire season. Nuñez revealed that 32 individuals have been arrested in connection with deliberately set fires, with two-thirds of the incidents attributed to intentional acts. He noted that the profiles of those arrested are varied, including teenagers and repeat offenders, indicating a complex issue beyond simple recklessness.

The fire season started a month early.

— Laurent NuñezThe minister alerted to the precocity of the fire season due to a combination of factors.

Nuñez further warned that the fire season began a month ahead of schedule due to a "cocktail" of high temperatures, dry vegetation, and wind. He reported approximately 17,000 hectares burned so far, with projections of 25,000 hectares once ongoing fires are consolidated. This is double the amount of land burned during the same period in the previous year.

We have a certain number of people who are not in recklessness, but in the will to set fire, to cause fires.

— Laurent NuñezThe minister described the intentional nature of many of the fires.

Meanwhile, Germany has also reported a surge in drowning incidents. The country recorded 99 drowning deaths in June, the highest number since the 2003 heatwave. Official figures from the German Life Saving Association (DLRG) indicate that 107 deaths occurred in June 2003. The recent heatwave in Germany saw temperatures reach up to 41.7°C, leading to forest fires, railway disruptions, and a general increase in mortality. Notably, among the drowning victims in Germany whose age is known, 35 were over 50, but the majority, 40 individuals, were under 30, with over 90% being male.

Germany had not recorded as many drownings since June 2003, during the heatwave, with 107 deaths.

— DLRGThe German Life Saving Association commented on the record number of drownings in June.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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