Two die after being swept away by sea currents in south-west France

Two swimmers have died after being caught in strong currents off the Atlantic coast of Gironde, as unseasonably high temperatures drew crowds to beaches known for hazardous sea conditions. 

The deaths occurred in two separate incidents at unsupervised areas on Sunday, May 24, with a 56-year-old woman drowning at Lège-Cap-Ferret, and a 63-year-old man at the Super Sud beach in Lacanau. 

The man’s wife was rescued from the sea and is recovering in hospital.

Both places are known for their ‘baïnes’ - natural tidal pools formed between sandbanks and the shoreline, which can generate powerful rip currents capable of pulling swimmers rapidly out to sea.

Local authorities said emergency services were deployed after both incidents, but the two swimmers could not be revived.

The prefecture confirmed the deaths in a statement and said conditions had been particularly hazardous due to strong surf and overcrowded beaches.

It also called on mairies in the area to step up efforts to inform people of the dangers.

‘Stay in supervised areas’

The fatalities come amid a spell of unusually hot weather across south-western France, with temperatures exceeding 30C in parts of the region. 

The heatwave has accelerated the start of the beach season, bringing high numbers of swimmers to unmonitored stretches of coastline.

Authorities said that since May 22, 31 people have been carried out to sea by baïnes currents along the Gironde coast, requiring multiple rescue interventions.

Officials have reiterated calls for people to avoid taking risks at the beach noting that many areas are not fully supervised.

“The resources we can deploy are limited; our coastline at Lacanau stretches for 16 kilometres, and we simply cannot monitor it all,” Laurent Peyrondet, mayor of Lacanau, said to Ici Gironde.

“Head for the supervised areas so as not to put your life or that of your family at risk,”. 

Safety guidance issued by rescue services advises against fighting the current directly. Instead, swimmers caught in a baïne are told to allow themselves to be carried out before attempting to swim parallel to the shore to return safely.