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.
Heat-driven drownings surge
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.
