France's heatwave plan overlooks drowning risk as deaths rise

France built its heatwave plan after 2003's crisis killed 15,000. Yet it tackles drowning mainly through awareness, not structural prevention. With 301 drownings since 19 June — up 14% after last summer's 135% surge — that gap is widening as Europe warms twice as fast globally. Météo France projects future heatwaves lasting five times longer than 2003.