France continues its free summer swimming lessons for children Classes aim to help four to 12-year-olds gain competency in water, with studies showing that 25% of drowning incidents involve children under six. Here’s how to book a place
Channel migrant drownings: legal action launched in France Humanitarian organisation lodges complaint for ‘involuntary homicide’ claiming French and British services failed to respond to distress calls when a boat sank resulting in 27 deaths
Calls for ‘swimming licence’ to reduce number of drownings in France Recent survey suggests most drownings occur in natural environments, where swimmers find it harder to assess conditions. Meanwhile a mobile pool in a lorry is touring rural areas teaching people to swim
news Nine swimmers drown in Mediterranean during south of France storms 'People don’t see the huge underwater currents which will simultaneously drag them down and out to sea' warn rescuers
France warned on 30% rise in accidental drownings The number of accidental drownings in France rose by 30% in the summer of 2018, health agency Santé Publique France (SPF) has warned.
Have fun at the beach but beware currents With around 150 deaths by drowning on French beaches last year, divided almost equally between the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts, holidaymakers should beware the dangers and, if there are flags flying, do what they say.
Red tape grounds drone beach lifesaver Plans for a beach drone to locate swimmers in trouble and drop a life-belt to them have been grounded by bureaucracy.