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 Nine swimmers drown in Mediterranean during south of France storms France warned on 30% rise in accidental drownings Have fun at the beach but beware currents
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.