France has recorded a sharp increase in drowning deaths as a severe heatwave continues to grip much of Europe, with authorities reporting 40 heatwave-related drowning fatalities since last Thursday.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said the deaths occurred as millions sought relief from soaring temperatures by swimming in rivers, canals, and other unsupervised waterways.
Sports and Youth Minister Marina Ferrari urged people to exercise caution, warning that swimming in unmonitored areas during extreme heat can be highly dangerous.
France, Spain, and Italy have been among the countries hardest hit by the ongoing heatwave. France experienced its hottest June day on record on Monday, followed by its warmest June night ever recorded, with average minimum temperatures reaching 21.6°C, according to Météo-France. More than half of the country remains under the highest-level weather alerts.
Among the victims was a 13-year-old girl who drowned in the Seine River near Fontaine-le-Port after entering the water with her family despite being unable to swim. In another incident, a young professional footballer was left in critical condition after being rescued from the Rhône River near Lyon, where swimming is prohibited.
French authorities also linked two additional child deaths to the extreme temperatures after children aged two and four were found inside a family vehicle in the southern city of Carpentras.
The heatwave is also intensifying across Spain, where temperatures are expected to exceed 40°C in several regions. Red alerts have been issued in parts of Andalusia, Cantabria, and the Basque Country. Spain’s national weather agency, AEMET, forecast temperatures of up to 44°C near Córdoba, with some areas already recording highs of 45°C.
Meteorologists say heatwaves are becoming more frequent and arriving earlier in the summer due to climate change. According to AEMET, Spain experienced 10 June heatwaves between 2000 and 2025, compared with just two during the previous 25 years.
In Italy, red heat alerts have been issued for 15 cities, including Rome, Milan, Florence, Turin and Venice. The warnings indicate conditions that can pose serious health risks even to healthy adults.
Italian authorities have reintroduced emergency labor protections for outdoor workers, including those in agriculture and construction, allowing businesses to suspend operations during the hottest periods of the day while receiving government-backed financial support.
Germany has also reported several drowning incidents as temperatures continue to rise. The German Lifesaving Association said six fatal swimming accidents occurred between Friday and Sunday, noting that many victims had overestimated their swimming abilities.
The extreme weather is also affecting infrastructure. In southwestern France, the Golfech Nuclear Power Plant was temporarily shut down after temperatures in the Garonne River approached the legal limit for cooling water used by the facility.
Meteorologists warn that the heatwave is likely to continue in several parts of Europe this week, increasing concerns about public health, water safety, and pressure on energy systems.