Poland sees 17 drownings in a single day as temperatures hit record 40.5°C, police issue safety warning
A record-breaking heatwave across Poland brought tragedy to its lakes and rivers, with 17 people drowning on Sunday alone, the highest daily toll this year. Police are urging swimmers to exercise extreme caution as temperatures soar above 40°C.
Record heat fuels tragic weekend on Polish waters
On Sunday, 28 June, Poland endured a record-breaking heatwave, with the temperature in Słubice reaching a preliminary 40.5°C. The same day, 17 people drowned across the country, the highest single-day toll since authorities began tracking the season in April. The scale of the tragedy, combined with the extreme weather, has prompted urgent safety appeals from police and a reminder of newly tightened rules for children's holidays.
- Record temperature of 40.5°C in Słubice; 17 drownings reported
- Police issues warning, cumulative June drownings reach 55
- Level III heat alerts expire
- New child safety regulations introduced, banning night swimming at camps
Police appeal after one-day spike
The Komenda Główna Policji issued a stark warning on Monday morning.
Authorities stressed that consumption of alcohol, swimming in unguarded areas, and overestimating one's abilities were common factors. Since 1 June, 55 people have drowned; from 1 April, when police begin their seasonal count, the figure stands at 96. In the whole of 2025, there were 327 drowning incidents, with 292 fatalities (including 25 women and 15 minors) and 56 rescues.Water is an element: a moment of inattention can end in tragedy. Every year drownings occur that can be prevented.
Geography and victims
According to data from the Rządowe Centrum Bezpieczeństwa, adult men make up 89% of drowning victims, while children account for 7%. The 17 deaths on Sunday spanned nine voivodeships: Dolnośląskie, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Lubuskie, Lubelskie, Łódzkie, Małopolskie, Podkarpackie, Warmińsko-Mazurskie, and Zachodniopomorskie. Police reiterated the importance of swimming only in designated, supervised locations, wearing life jackets on watercraft, and never entering the water after drinking or prolonged sun exposure.
New rules for young holidaymakers
The tragedy reinforces the significance of new regulations that came into force in 2026 for organized children's trips. A ministry communication obtained by naTemat.pl states that
In practice, night swimming at camps is now banned. Additionally, a revised participant qualification card collects detailed medical data and even information about specific fears, such as aquaphobia, so supervisors can tailor activities accordingly.The new obligation of the trip organizer is to ensure that children use bathing areas or places occasionally used for swimming only during their operating hours as specified in the regulations, and if these are not indicated, only during daylight.
Ongoing heatwave and alerts
The heatwave is set to persist. As of Monday, 29 June, Level III heat alerts remain in effect until 20:00 for voivodeships including Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Mazowieckie, Lubelskie, Łódzkie, Opolskie, Śląskie, Świętokrzyskie, Podkarpackie, most of Małopolskie, and parts of Pomorskie, Warmińsko-Mazurskie, Dolnośląskie, Wielkopolskie, and Podlaskie. Temperatures are forecast to reach 35–39°C by day and 18–25°C at night. Level II alerts cover the north and west, where the mercury may hit 34°C. Authorities urge everyone to stay vigilant and look out for the most vulnerable during the continuing heat.
- Słubice 2026 (prelim.)
- 40.5 °C
- Prószków 1921
- 40.2 °C
- Słubice 1994
- 39.5 °C
The 40.5°C reading, if confirmed, would surpass Poland's all-time high of 40.2°C set in Prószków on 29 July 1921. The post-war record stands at 39.5°C, also in Słubice, in July 1994. As the holiday season begins, police repeat their core message: prudence saves lives.
