In June, 233 drownings, including 84 fatal, occurred in France, Public Health France announced on Friday July 7, emphasizing prevention as school holidays approach. “The number of drownings and deaths remains high during the first four weeks of June 2023,” according to the first epidemiological update on summer drownings.

From June 1 to 28, however, the number of drownings fell across the country compared to the same period in 2022 (253) and 2021 (310). In France, accidental drownings cause approximately 1,000 deaths each year (including approximately 400 in summer).

In June 2021, the lifting of restrictive measures to combat Covid-19, combined with favorable weather for swimming, may have “explained part of the large number of drownings”, according to the National Public Health Agency.

During the first four weeks of June, this year, 84 drownings were fatal, an almost stable number compared to the same periods in 2022 and 2021. But, proportionally, the drownings of this beginning of summer were more frequently fatal (36 %, compared to 34% and 26%).

Permanent supervision of young children

Fatal drownings have been highest among adults so far, with a minority of children under the age of 6 drowning. “We must remain cautious about the interpretation: this may be linked to risky practices that have persisted among adults. The proportion may change over the next few weeks ”and the holidays, commented Aymeric Ung, of Public Health France, during a press conference.

Over the past three years, the daily number of drownings has been higher on weekends and during hot periods (second weekend of June 2021, heat wave from June 15 to 19, 2022 or last weekend of June 2023).

The publication of the first summer update is done “on the last school day so that a maximum of information and prevention advice is disseminated when leaving on vacation”, explained Mr. Ung. “Almost all accidental drownings can be avoided with simple preventative actions,” he insisted.

Active and permanent supervision of young children, learning to swim as early as possible, choice of secure areas, vigilance with the weather are among the recommendations. A campaign is deployed by the public authorities until July 14, in order to inform of the risks of drowning.

Since 2003, Public Health France surveys have identified all drownings treated by the emergency services.