©Eduard Kiiko via Unsplash
Two swimmers died on Sunday on the southwest coast of France after being swept away by a powerful sea current. The incidents occurred in Lacanau and Lège-Cap-Ferret, in the Gironde department. A warning about dangerous currents was in effect this weekend.
One of the victims is a 56-year-old German woman. The other victim is a man in his 60s. His wife also got into trouble, but was able to be rescued by emergency services. According to French media, a total of 31 people were in trouble due to the treacherous currents since Friday.
The Gironde prefecture had urged beachgoers in advance to "maximum vigilance" and asked coastal municipalities to actively inform visitors of the risks. Due to the persistent heat, beaches are exceptionally crowded. This increases the likelihood of incidents.
The French Atlantic coast, located on the Bay of Biscay, is known for its rough seas and strong currents. Currents regularly form in this region: narrow, powerful currents of water that migrate from the beach toward the open sea. They are often barely visible from the shore, but can drag swimmers tens of meters in a matter of seconds.
The Bay of Biscay is considered one of the most dangerous sea areas in Europe for recreational swimmers. The combination of strong tides, high waves and sudden currents makes the sea there unpredictable. Especially in warm weather, when many people seek cooling in the water, the number of accidents increases.
Currents are also not easily visible at the surface and can be very dangerous. Every year, the phenomenon leads to several drownings in France.
Authorities stress that swimmers should always respect the flags and directions given by rescue services. Anyone caught in a murky current is advised not to swim against the current, but to move parallel to the shore to get out of the current.
©Eduard Kiiko via Unsplash - illustration image of the Bay of Biscay