The French Prime Minister Manuel Valls and his Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve recently visited the south of France and their emergency services who have been particularly busy during the holiday period.
So far this summer authorities have reported that 68 people have drowned swimming in the coastal waters of France, 13 of which have been on the French Riviera. Authorities are keen to alert tourists to the risks of swimming in the seemingly calm and safe Mediterranean waters.
In addition to the dangers of drowning, several beaches along the coast were shut yesterday after storm warnings were issued. There was a fear that excess water could cause overflow from the Magnan, Rivoli and Gambetta rivers and with that would come the risk of E-Coli pollution.
A series of samples have been examined by the Regional Environmental Laboratory to determine the quality of the water for bathing.
Be aware of red flags on beaches, advice from local authorities and security services, and if in doubt, contact the life guard or local tourist office for further advice.
**UPDATE 12th August 2015: Water analysis from the beaches around Nice has come back clear and beaches have been reopened and declared safe for swimming.
