Number of drownings in France in 2025: a tragic summer, but not without a solution

Drowning report 2025: a tragic summer that highlights the importance of prevention

Every summer, families meet at the water's edge to seek a little coolness. Beaches, lakes, swimming pools and rivers become places of conviviality par excellence. The weather conditions during this period, particularly periods of extreme heat, lead to a influx of populations towards bathing places, including many natural environments.

However, behind these moments of relaxation lies another reality: that of drowning. The summer of 2025 was unfortunately no exception to the rule. During this season and particularly during the heatwave vigilance period (from June 19 to July 6), France saw a particularly high total number of accidents in various places including bodies of water, undeveloped seas, swimming pools and natural environments such as rivers. So-called “wild” swimming to cool off in these natural environments was a significant risk factor. The period from June 1 to August 13 was marked by a massive influx of populations to these swimming spots, which likely led to an increase in the total number of drownings. The figures published by Public health France are clear: drownings have experienced a sharp increase, affecting all generations and reminding once again that this danger is too often underestimated.

 

🚨 Alarming key figures

Between June 1 and July 23, France recorded 702 drownings, including 193 fatalities. The proportion of drownings followed by deaths (130 last year) highlights a worrying increase in the number of deaths. The results highlight the need to strengthen prevention. The majority of deaths on rivers and at sea were recorded during the period from June 19 to July 6. Heatwave vigilance (315 drownings) was a critical point, with a total number of deaths much higher than previous years. The total number of drownings during the summer of 2025 reached a record figure, particularly in natural environments.

These figures represent an increase of almost 50% in the total number of accidents compared to the same period in 2024. And the toll has continued to increase over the weeks. Including the month of August, Public Health France has identified more than 1,000 drownings, including 268 drownings followed by deaths. Behind these figures, there are broken families, avoidable tragedies and an essential question: how can we better prevent these accidents?

 

☀️ An increase partially due to the weather 

This spectacular increase is partly explained by the weather. The weather conditions of this period probably led to an influx of populations towards bathing places, particularly in natural environments. The summer of 2025 was marked by an early and lasting heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 35°C from mid-June. This period of hot weather has pushed many people to swim to cool off. Faced with the heat, many sought to cool off, often in unsupervised places: rivers, bodies of water, natural pools, etc. These places, although they appear calm, can hide currents, deep areas or unstable bottoms. During the heatwave period, more than 315 drownings were recorded, compared to only 130 last year over the same period. In just two weeks, the number of victims has more than doubled.

 

🦦 Too lax vigilance

But the weather factor doesn't explain everything. Risky behavior remains common.

Many drownings occur due to lack of supervision, carelessness or simple overestimation of one's abilities. In adults, swimming after a heavy meal, alcohol consumption or fatigue are often to blame. In children, it is often a moment of inattention which turns into a tragedy.

It is essential to strengthen prevention of the risk of drowning. This is also why experts emphasize the need to continue prevention at all ages, particularly during periods of high heat and in natural environments. Regulations, particularly swimming bans, must be respected in order to guarantee the safety of all. Swimming must be done in authorized areas and swimming bans must be strictly enforced to limit accidents. It is important to act upstream by targeting ages in order to reduce risky behavior and avoid tragedies.

 

🚫 A drama that doesn't just concern children 

Children and adolescents are among the most affected categories. This year, 27 miners lost their lives by drowning before the end of July, compared to 25 in 2024. Note that 37 children and adolescents lost their lives during the vigilance period, including 16 drownings followed by deaths among adolescents. Adolescents aged 13 to 17 are particularly affected: their death rate has doubled. The desire for independence, the taste for challenge and the lack of awareness of danger push them to swim in unsupervised areas.

Prevention must concern all ages, and particularly children and adolescents. Death by drowning affects all ages, but children and adolescents remain particularly vulnerable.

But they are not alone. Adults are also affected, particularly at sea. In fact, in 2025 compared to 2024, the number of drownings followed by deaths at sea has increased by 40% (113 vs 81) and mainly concerns adults.

 

🔎 A tragic summer that prompts us to be extra vigilant

These tragedies remind us that drowning followed by death remains among the leading causes of accidental mortality in France in the face of domestic accidents. However, this is not inevitable. The majority of these accidents could be avoided through better awareness, water safety education and adapted equipment.

 

 

✅ Some practical prevention actions to adopt now

So that the following summer is not synonymous with tragedy, here are some simple tips to share:

- Choose supervised, authorized swimming areas and avoid uncontrolled “wild” areas

- Never leave a child alone or without direct supervision in water, even shallow water

- For adults, do not underestimate the risk: fatigue, alcohol, heat, current areas can turn a pleasant swim into danger

- Wear suitable equipment (swimwear children's floating swimsuit or adult (man or women), glasses, anti-UV) to maximize safety and comfort

- Raise children's awareness of water from an early age: know how to swim, know the basic rules, understand the dangers (currents, depth, obstacles)

This is where Plouf fully commits. For more than twenty years, our mission has been clear: to contribute to the prevention of drowning by enabling children and adults alike to regain confidence in the water. 

 

Conclusion 

The summer of 2025 was a stark reminder that water can be synonymous with life, relaxation, but also danger. A +50% increase in drownings, children and adolescents affected, places that we thought were “safe” but which are not always so.

At Plouf, we have made drowning prevention one of our most important values. Our swimsuits floating bath are one of the stones in the building of prevention, so that swimming rhymes with pleasure and safety. It never replaces monitoring, learning or collective responsibility – but it can help.
Together, let's ensure that the next assessment - hopefully - is lighter. Because every drowning avoided is a victory.

 

Do not hesitate to share this article, to talk to those around you, to raise awareness.

Find our 2024 drowning report here