An adult in one in two cases, a third of children under 6 years old… the 1,336 drownings of the summer of 2023 under the microscope

Between June 1 and September 30, 2023, 1,336 drownings were recorded in France, leading to the death of 361 people nationally. A stable figure, but down significantly in Occitanie, where 212 people drowned compared to 266 in 2022. Before the start of summer, Public Health France, which took stock with the National Observation System of the safety of nautical activities, calls for caution.

The years go by and look the same: despite calls for caution and messages of prevention, 1,336 people drowned in France in 2023, a figure that is almost stable compared to 2022, according to the assessment drawn up, before the summer, by Public Health France with the National Observation System for the safety of nautical activities.

More than one in four drownings (27%) was followed by death, for a total of 361 deaths, adults (44% of drownings followed by death) are more exposed than children (3%). 9 drownings followed by deaths out of 10 concern adults.

Avoidable words, health authorities remind, as long as we exercise caution.

In 2023, "55 % of drownings involved adults". Children under 6 years old represent almost a third of accidents, with 30% of drownings. And 16-17 year olds are victims at a rate of 15%.

"All ages and locations"

"Drownings affect all ages and all places. These results underline the need to continue prevention of the risk of drowning at all ages", indicates Public Health France, which also takes stock of the region: with 212 drowned (- 44 situations compared to 2022), Occitanie is unsurprisingly one of the most affected regions, due to its climate and its broad coastal façade, behind Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (271 drownings). Nouvelle-Aquitaine (210 drownings) is in third position, Brittany (73 drownings) follows, but it is in this region that swimming is the deadliest: 47 deaths in 2023.

"In Brittany, the vast majority of drownings followed by deaths take place at sea (81%), some during fishing activities. leisure (boat, paddle,  etc.)", specifies Public Health France, which details the circumstances of the tragedies : & quot;For 18 of the 361 drownings followed by deaths, an activity other than swimming was reported" : 8 cases during a fishing trip, 3 during a dive , 2 from a boat, 2 from a stand up paddle, 3 by canoe, canyoning or motorized water vehicle.

Finally, 3 deaths occurred in a context of baïnes or current.

The sea (45% of drownings) is the most accident-prone, ahead of rivers (23%) and private swimming pools (15%), in front of bodies of water (14%).

The peaks of drownings correspond to the periods of highest attendance: July 8 and 9, July 15-16 and the weekend of August 19-20.< /p>