Two people are feared to have lost their lives in similar incidents at sea.

10:16, Mon, May 25, 2026 Updated: 17:14, Mon, May 25, 2026

Lege-Cap-Ferret, people looking at the ocean

(file picture) Lège-Cap-Ferret is in southwest France (Image: Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

A tourist was swept out to sea by a dangerous riptide current while holidaying in southern France, as local authorities issued a warning. The victim, 56, was swept away by a powerful current off the French Atlantic coast near Lège‑Cap‑Ferret on Sunday.

According to the authorities, a man in his sixties drowned in similar conditions near Lacanau, another town along the same stretch of coastline. The shocking incidents come as dangerous rip currents continue to pound the French Atlantic coast.

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Since Friday, emergency teams have already carried out 31 dramatic water rescues.

Local authorities previously warned that this Bank Holiday weekend would see “high risk rip current baïnes”.

The prefecture repeated its call for “maximum vigilance” on Sunday as strong coastal currents continued to pose serious risks.

In southwestern France, temperatures soared past 30C over the Pentecost weekend, drawing large numbers of people to the beaches and increasing exposure to the hazardous conditions.