science
Two Swimmers Die in Riptides off Southwestern France
French emergency services rescued 31 people and recovered two bodies after strong currents struck beaches in the Gironde department. Warm weekend temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius drew large crowds to the Atlantic coast.
May 25, 2:03 PM·1m read1 source
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Two swimmers died in separate incidents after being caught in riptides along the Gironde coastline in southwestern France. A 56-year-old German woman drowned Sunday off Lège-Cap-Ferret, and a 60-year-old man died the same day in Lacanau. Since Friday, emergency services have rescued 31 people from the water in the Gironde department.
Local authorities urged beachgoers to exercise maximum vigilance and issued warnings about the strong currents.
Riptides form when breaking waves push water onto the beach that then flows back into the ocean through narrow channels. These currents can be difficult to spot and are capable of rapidly pulling even experienced swimmers away from shore. Authorities advised that anyone caught in a riptide should swim parallel to the shoreline rather than against the current until they are free of it.
Unusually high temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius were recorded over the weekend in southwestern France. The warm weather attracted large crowds to the beaches despite the dangerous sea conditions.
