France links sharp rise in drownings to heatwaves
BBC Science & Environment · 2026-08-23
France is experiencing a significant increase in drownings, which authorities are directly linking to prolonged heatwaves. The country recorded 7,300 excess deaths between late May and 22 July, according to provisional figures from public health authorities, amid increasingly frequent and intense heat events driven by climate change.
A specific heatwave in June forced a nuclear power plant in south-west France to temporarily shut down after water temperatures in the River Garonne exceeded 28C, a critical threshold under French law for cooling reactors at the Golfech plant. Additionally, several monuments, including the Eiffel Tower in Paris, adjusted operating hours by closing early due to the extreme heat. The sharp rise in drownings suggests a public seeking relief from the heat, leading to tragic consequences.
*The full article also explores the specific demographics most affected by these drowning incidents and the public health response strategies being implemented.*