Every year, during the summer season, dozens of people are killed by drowning at sea or in the ocean. According to the Public Health France investigation report on the surveillance of drownings in 2021, between June 1 and September 30, 2021, 688 accidental drownings were recorded on the French coasts. Of these, 172 proved fatal.
According to members of Ocean Surf Report, a website specializing in board sports, the most dangerous place in France remained the Atlantic coast, reports Marie Claire. Indeed, the configuration of the beaches, the sand and the strong currents of baïnes would in particular be at the origin of a greater risk. The tides would also have an important role in drownings, because they are sometimes very strong in certain regions such as Brittany or Normandy where the water rises are particularly rapid.
Although supposedly less dangerous, the Mediterranean Sea is still statistically more deadly than the Atlantic. According to our colleagues from Atlantico, this could be due to the fact that the South West would inform much more about the dangers of the sea.
In addition, the high risk of drowning on the Atlantic coast has led to a greater mobilization of lifeguards who can therefore intervene more quickly and more effectively.
Thus, French beaches can be particularly dangerous and be the scene of regular dramas and you must always be vigilant. In some departments, however, the beaches can be more deadly than others. Here is the list of the 10 departments with the most accidental drownings at sea according to the Public Health France survey carried out between June 1 and September 30, 2021.
