2024-08-30 12:24:57
The French Ministry of Public Health was informed on Friday, August 30, that 576 drownings occurred in France between July 16 and August 15, an increase of 41% compared to the same period in 2023, undoubtedly due to favorable swimming conditions.
During the two weeks, 146 drowning deaths occurred in 2024, compared with 109 in 2023, an increase of 34%.
France’s Public Health Service recalled that in July 2024, climatic conditions were generally favorable, especially in the southern half of the country. The health agency added that two heat waves followed in late July and early August 2024. These hot conditions make “Very favorable swimming conditions”which may explain the increase in drownings compared to the same period last year.
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Between June 1 and August 21, 2024, a total of 983 drownings were recorded in France, of which 268 were followed by death (i.e., the rate of drowning followed by death was 27%). France’s public health authorities noted that these figures remain stable compared with 2023.
Adults are more likely to die from drowning
Since the start of the monitoring period in 2024, 52% of drowning incidents have involved adults, 32% have involved children under 6 years old, and 16% have involved children aged 6-17 years. Adults have a higher proportion of drowning deaths (46% compared with 6% for children under 6 years old, with nine out of 10 drowning deaths involving adults).
Drowning deaths in rivers and water bodies account for half of all drowning deaths for all age groups combined. Elsewhere, drowning deaths among minors occurred more often in private swimming pools and in adults at sea (accounting for about a third of deaths in both age groups).
“These results highlight the need to continue preventing drowning risk in all age groups, particularly during periods of extreme heat, as long as swimming conditions remain favorable”the health agency insists.
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