France has recorded 40 heatwave-related drowning deaths since last Thursday. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu confirmed the fatalities as temperatures reach record levels across several European cities. The heatwave has significantly impacted France, Spain, and Italy.
This sharp increase in drowning incidents stems from people seeking relief in unsupervised bodies of water. Marina Ferrari, France's sports and youth minister, cautioned against swimming in these areas. France experienced its hottest June day on record recently, with over half the country on red alert for extreme heat. The average minimum temperature on Monday night was an unprecedented 21.6°C, according to Météo France.
This European-wide heatwave highlights the growing impact of climate change on public safety and infrastructure. Spain's state weather service Aemet notes a rise in June heatwaves, with 10 recorded between 2000 and 2025. This compares to only two in the previous 25 years. Such intense weather events place significant strain on emergency services and pose health risks to the general population. In Italy, 15 cities, including Rome and Milan, have declared red heatwave alerts. These alerts signal conditions that can harm even healthy adults.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, “It’s not something to be taken lightly, going swimming in unsupervised areas during a heatwave.” Sports Minister Marina Ferrari echoed this sentiment. She stressed that many people are not considering the risks of cooling off in rivers and canals. One victim was a 13-year-old girl who drowned in the River Seine, despite not knowing how to swim. A young professional footballer is also in critical condition after being pulled from the River Rhône.
The continuation of extreme temperatures will likely lead to more public health interventions and emergency measures. Governments will need to address the rising frequency of such events. Italy has already revived emergency labor protections to shield workers exposed to the sun. Companies can now access state-backed furlough support if they halt operations due to dangerous heat. Additionally, a nuclear power plant in southwest France had to shut down because water temperatures in the River Garonne were projected to exceed 28°C. French law prohibits water used for reactor cooling from exceeding this temperature. These measures show how severe heatwaves impact both human life and critical infrastructure.