From June 1 to July 31, 2024, 612 drownings were recorded in France, a decrease of 16% compared to the same period last year.
- Between June 1 and July 31, 2024, 612 drownings were recorded in mainland France and overseas, including 169 resulting in deaths, according to a report from Public Health France.
- These figures are down 16% compared to those of 2023.
- This difference “is explained by conditions that are generally less favorable for swimming in 2024 compared to 2023”, with the exception of the second half of July.
The weather has not been good in recent weeks, but this has helped reduce the number of drownings. a balance sheetpublished on August 9, Santé publique France reveals that between June 1 and July 31, 2024, 612 drownings were recorded in France (mainland and overseas). These alterations in respiratory function, resulting from submersion/immersion in a liquid, resulted in the death of 169 people. “The proportion of drownings followed by deaths (number of deaths reported to the total number of drownings) was stable between the two years (24% in 2023 and 28% in 2024).”
This year, 53% of drownings involved adults, 33% involved children under 6, and 14% involved children aged 6 to 17. The data shows that in the last two months, 46% of adults, compared to 6% of children under 6, have died from drowning. “Drowning deaths in rivers/bodies of water affected all ages, while drowning deaths among minors occurred more in private swimming pools and among adults at sea.”
16% decrease in drownings due to adverse weather conditions
According to the health authority, the total number of drownings recorded during the monitoring period in 2024 fell by 16% compared to the same period in 2023. This “is mainly explained by generally less favorable conditions for swimming in 2024 compared to 2023.” In June 2024, temperatures in the first half of the month were below seasonal norms and above in the second half, more precisely the 30°C mark was reached locally on June 25, according to Météo-France. In addition, it rained a lot (+20% compared to the 1991-2020 norms) in mainland France.
In July, the average temperature was 0.6°C above normal nationally, with temperatures below seasonal norms in the first half of the month. However, from mid-July onwards, temperatures rose sharply, with temperatures above 40°C on 20 July for the first time this year and the first period of high heat nationally at the end of the month. “From July 16 to 31, 2024, 272 drownings occurred, more than 22% compared to the same period in 2023”we can read in the point.
Drowning: steps for safe swimming
In view of these results, highlighting a number of drownings and deaths that remains high, Santé publique France stresses the need to continue prevention of the risk of drowning at all ages, particularly during periods of high heat such as currently. It reminds us that young children must be actively and permanently supervised before and during swimming. It is also appropriate, throughout the year, to teach toddlers to swim as early as possible and to familiarize them with the aquatic environment from a very young age.
For adults, it is recommended to respect the safety instructions and swimming bans, to favor supervised swimming areas, secured by professional lifeguards, to find out about the weather conditions, to postpone swimming in case of physical discomfort (fatigue, health problems, chills, etc.). Other advice: avoid any alcohol consumption before swimming, to warn a loved one before swimming, to enter the water gradually by wetting your head, neck and stomach to avoid thermal shock.
