At least 55 people have drowned in France amid a severe early-summer heatwave sweeping across Europe on Friday, as record-breaking temperatures overwhelm public services and drive thousands toward unsafe waterways in search of relief, officials said, Daily Sabah reports.
France is facing a fast-moving public safety crisis as prolonged heat pushes residents toward rivers, canals and lakes, many of them unmonitored and unsafe for swimming.
Sports Minister Marina Ferrari said on Friday that the death toll from drownings had reached 55 by Thursday evening, warning that further fatalities are likely as temperatures remain dangerously high and more cases are confirmed.
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu earlier reported at least 40 deaths since June 18, noting that many victims were teenagers and young adults who entered prohibited or unsupervised waters to escape extreme heat.
Officials say most incidents occurred in rivers, canals and reservoirs where swimming is restricted or not monitored, with hazards including strong currents, sudden depth changes, underwater debris and cold-water shock even during high air temperatures.
The crisis is unfolding as a powerful heatwave grips much of Europe, with conditions stretching from the Atlantic coast to central and eastern regions.
France has recorded some of its most extreme June temperatures on record, including a national average of 29.8 degrees Celcius (85.64 degrees Fahrenheit) and a peak of 44.3 degrees Celcius in the southwest.
In Paris, temperatures reached 40.9 degrees Celcius, placing severe pressure on transport systems, hospitals and public infrastructure.
The national meteorological agency Meteo-France issued red alerts covering more than half the country, warning of life-threatening conditions driven by a persistent “Omega block” weather pattern that traps hot air over western Europe and prevents cooling air from moving in.
Elsewhere in Europe, countries including Spain, Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom are also reporting extreme heat, with transport disruptions, school closures and surging electricity demand as cooling systems strain under peak load.
Authorities say the majority of drowning victims are young people, many of whom were swimming in groups or alone in informal locations without lifeguards or safety supervision.
In multiple cases, victims entered urban waterways such as the Seine and other canals, where conditions can shift rapidly and risks are not always visible from the surface.
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