rescuers already in the fight against drowning

Barely the call for help received, immediate takeoff for the rescuers of the civil security of Gironde. In a few minutes, they reach a beach in Cap Ferret (Gironde) where a German tourist almost drowned. The helicopter doctors examine him. The 43-year-old German tourist was trapped by the currents. A surfer rescued the three drowning people. The other two swimmers are safe, but the tourist is taken by helicopter to the Bordeaux University Hospital.

This is the thirteenth intervention of the helicopter in just six days, unheard of at this time of year. With the strong swell, swimming is risky, and even not recommended. On the beach of Lacanau (Gironde), lifeguards are already present every weekend. An 18-year-old man died there last week. But having the beaches monitored out of season has a cost: it represents an additional 300,000 euros on the municipal budget. On the coast, most municipalities will wait until mid-June to bring back rescuers. In the meantime, the authorities are calling for caution.