Faced with an exceptional influx of visitors due to the early heatwave and a tragic series of drownings, the seaside resorts of Gironde are sounding the alarm. United within Sivu33, the inter-municipal association responsible for beach safety, they are requesting increased financial support from local authorities to strengthen surveillance measures along the Atlantic coast.
According to local officials, more than 130.000 people visited the beaches of the Gironde region during the Pentecost weekend, a level usually seen in the middle of August. "Today, we are no longer able to finance this mission alone," warned Laurent Peyrondet, mayor of Lacanau and president of the Sivu33 (Intercommunal Syndicate for the Development of Gironde), calling on Bordeaux Métropole, the Gironde department, and the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region to contribute to this effort.
Drownings that reignite the debate on surveillance
This mobilization comes as four people have drowned in the space of ten days on the Gironde coast. Three victims were swept away by rip currents, particularly dangerous currents that characterize the Aquitaine coastline and can carry swimmers out to sea in moments.
Faced with this situation, the prefecture has called for a collective mobilization of state services, local authorities, and emergency services to strengthen prevention efforts. Around forty CRS (riot police) lifeguards will be deployed to support municipal teams starting July 1st. However, elected officials believe that climate change and the increasing frequency of early heat waves now necessitate extending surveillance well beyond the traditional summer season, potentially from the Easter holidays to the All Saints' Day break.
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