Drowning incidents in France have surged as people jump into water to escape a prolonged heatwave.
On August 23, BBC reported that Marina Ferrari, France's Minister of Sports and Youth, stated in an interview with France Inter Radio that there have been 301 drowning fatalities in France since June 19. This marks a 14% increase compared to the same period last year.
Ferrari described the rise as a "tragic toll," noting that many fatal accidents occurred in areas where swimming is not permitted or supervised.
Particularly, a significant number of fatal incidents have occurred in locations without lifeguards. Many drownings have also taken place in open bodies of water, such as rivers and canals.
Among the elderly, there have been several drowning incidents in private swimming pools. Ferrari warned that entering cold water suddenly after being overheated can cause physical shock, and overestimating one's swimming ability can lead to accidents.
The French government plans to collaborate with local authorities to increase the number of safe swimming locations and enhance safety management at related facilities.
Not only France but also southern European countries like Spain and Italy are suffering from heatwaves. The ongoing hot and dry weather has led to large wildfires, devastating extensive areas of forest and land.
The phenomenon of rising temperatures due to climate change is becoming increasingly severe. According to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service, Europe is warming at the fastest rate of any continent, nearly twice the global average.
The impact of the heatwave extends beyond drowning incidents. In southwestern France, the temperature of the Garonne River reached 28 degrees Celsius during the June heatwave, causing a nearby nuclear power plant to temporarily halt operations. French regulations stipulate that the water used for reactor cooling must not exceed 28 degrees.
In Paris, some tourist attractions, including the Eiffel Tower, reduced their operating hours due to the heatwave.
The damage from wildfires has also been significant. In the Gironde region near Bordeaux, a large wildfire at the end of July forced over 200,000 residents to evacuate.
Indicators of the human toll from the heatwave in France have emerged. Preliminary data from French public health authorities indicate that from late May to July 22, there were 7,300 more excess deaths than expected for that period.
This summer, prolonged heatwaves across France and several European countries have led to health impacts, as well as issues related to wildfires, water quality, and energy supply.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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