Between the beginning of June and the end of July, 612 drownings were recorded in France, including 169 resulting in death, a decrease of 161% compared to the same period in 2023, Public Health France reported on August 9.
Increase of 22% in the second half of July
“ This decrease is mainly explained by environmental conditions – temperature, rainfall, sunshine – which were generally less favorable for swimming in June and July 2024.", explained Aymeric Ung, epidemiologist at the non-communicable diseases and trauma department of Public Health France.
On the other hand, in the second half of July, 272 drownings were recorded, representing an increase of 22% compared to the same period in 2023, according to the National Bulletin of SpF dedicated to drownings. This increase is in " probable link with the period of intense heat which affected a large part of the country, which made bathing conditions very favorable" , And " these conditions persist", Mr. Ung emphasized during a presentation of the bulletin to the press.
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9 out of 10 drownings followed by deaths concern adults
The proportion of fatal drownings (about a quarter) has remained stable, according to this expert. More than half (53%) of the drownings involved adults, a third (33%) involved those under 6 years old, and 14% involved those aged 6 to 17. Nine out of ten drownings resulting in deaths involve adults. More than a third of these deaths occur while swimming in the sea.
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Among minors, half of the deaths occurred in private swimming pools, notes SpF, which recommends: do not take your eyes off the children while swimming " and of " familiarize them with the aquatic environment throughout the year" . " Swimming carries risks at all ages", recalls SpF.
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