With summer almost over, France has seen 268 drownings since June

PARIS

With the end of summer in sight, nearly 270 people drowned in French waters from June to mid-August, according to figures released Friday by the French Public Health Agency.

Between June 1 and Aug. 13, authorities recorded 1,013 cases of people getting into distress in the water - seas, rivers, lakes, etc., both in mainland France and its overseas territories - up 14% from the same period last year.

Of these incidents, 268 resulted in fatalities, including 37 children and young people.

The agency noted an especially sharp increase in deaths during early summer heat waves.

Between June 19 and July 6, when temperatures were particularly favorable for swimming, 315 people got close to drowning.

Eighty-six of those cases ended in death - up 139% from the same period in 2022.