France heatwave drownings surge 14%

France has recorded 301 drownings since June 19, a 14% increase from the same period in 2025, according to Sports and Youth Minister Marina Ferrari. Ferrari linked the rise to prolonged heatwaves that have affected France, Spain, and Italy, driving people to risky swimming behavior in unsupervised areas such as canals and open water. Many drownings, particularly among the elderly, occurred in private pools. The heatwaves also caused wildfires, including in France — Gironde, forcing over 200,000 evacuations, and led to the temporary shutdown of the Golfech Nuclear Power Plant when river temperatures exceeded 28C. The France — Eiffel Tower closed early during peak heat. French public health authorities reported 7,300 excess deaths between late May and 22 July. Climate scientists, including the European Union — Copernicus Climate Change Service, note Europe is warming twice as fast as the global average.