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Tragic swimming accident: two young people drown in the Loire!
Two teenagers drowned in the Loire near Saint-Étienne after attempting to swim in a forbidden swimming area. Tragic misfortune and warnings about swimming dangers.
Tragic swimming accident: two young people drown in the Loire!
A tragic accident occurred on Saturday June 14th near Saint-Victor-sur-Loire when two teenagers aged 14 and 15 drowned. This tragic story began when a group of about 15 young people from Saint-Étienne, wanting to escape the heat, went to an unauthorized swimming area to cool off. [Midi Libre] reports that swimming was strictly prohibited in this remote area.
The teenagers jumped from a rock into the water, causing one of them to get into trouble. His friend didn't hesitate and also jumped into the water to help. Tragically, neither managed to return to shore. The alerted rescue workers, including divers, police and emergency services, quickly arrived at the scene of the accident, but the fate was already sealed. While one of the young people died at the scene of the accident, the other unfortunately died during transport to the hospital. This deeply shocked the community and Mayor Gaël Perdriau expressed his condolences on Facebook.
The dangers of swimming
Despite the high temperatures that encourage swimming, the prefecture of the Loire warns about the dangers of swimming in unauthorized zones. This accident highlights the risks associated with swimming in unsupervised waters. In Germany, for example, at least 378 people drowned while swimming in 2023, often in unguarded inland waters. Many swimming accidents occur due to carelessness and a lack of awareness of dangers such as sudden depths or currents.
The DLRG strongly recommends only using guarded bathing areas. Even experienced swimmers often overestimate their abilities. The body's cold shock response can result in drowning, even when water temperatures appear moderate. It is therefore important to slowly get used to the water temperature and never go into the water if you feel unwell or exhausted. In addition, it is advisable to always follow safety rules, such as the “dead man” position in case of cramps or exhaustion, in order to stay afloat.
The frightening events in Saint-Victor-sur-Loire do not leave you indifferent. It is an urgent call to always be careful and respectful when handling water. The dangers of swimming should never be underestimated, especially in times of high heat when many people are looking for refreshment.