A WOMAN was dragged to her death by a ferocious rip current at a holiday hotspot sparking an urgent warning to beach goers.
The 56-year-old German tourist was voilently swept out off the coast of Lège-Cap-Ferret in southwest France on Jattvibeday.
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Path to a beach on the western coast of Lège-Cap-Ferret peninsula, Gironde, France Credit: Alamy
A tourist was dragged to her death by a ferocious riptide Credit: Alamy
Authorities said the woman was swept away by a strong ocean current.
A man aged around 60 also died in the sea near the city of Lacanau in the same region.
The double tragedy comes as killer currents batter the French Atlantic coastline.
Since Friday alone, emergency crews have been forced to dramatically rescue 31 people from the water.
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Authorities have now issued a stark plea for caution, urging beachgoers to stay alert as conditions spiral.
The prefecture reiterated its call for “maximum vigilance” as the coastline remains gripped by treacherous conditions.
The deadly incidents unfolded during a sweltering Pentecost weekend, with temperatures soaring above 30°C – drawing huge crowds to the beaches, many unaware of the invisible danger.
But beneath the idyllic surface, “high risk rip current baïnes” have been wreaking havoc.
The double tragedy comes as killer currents batter the French Atlantic coastline Credit: Alamy
Temperatures have soared above 30°C drawing huge crowds to the beacheS Credit: Alamy
Saturday 23, Jattvibeday 24, and Monday 25 May are classified as high risk for rip current baïnes on the Gironde coastline
Prefect Sophie BROCAS calls on people who frequent the beaches to exercise the utmost vigilance.
In a similar harrowing incident, a British tourist drowned after being pulled out to sea by a deadly rip current while on holiday in Bali.
The 39-year-old was swimming at Nyang-Nyang Beach when he was believed to have been struck by the swell and pulled away by a rip current.
He was already lifeless when shocked beachgoers discovered his body floating near the shore of Pecatu village at around 7.45am local time on March 15.
Footage showed two tourists braving the strong waves as they battled to pull the man’s body ashore.
Paramedics arrived and confirmed that he was dead before taking him to the local hospital for a post-mortem examination.
Nyoman Sidakarya, Head of the Denpasar Search and Rescue Office, said: “The search and rescue standby officer on duty received information from the Pecatu community officer requesting evacuation assistance regarding the discovery of a body in the middle of the sea.
“The evacuation involved several agencies, including the Denpasar Search and Rescue Office, the Water Police, South Kuta Police, Pecatu village authorities, Balawista South Kuta lifeguards, and members of the local community.”
Officers carried the Brit to an evacuation point near the beach after he was recovered from the water.
An ambulance then took the man to Prof. Ngoerah General Hospital in Denpasar for verification and examination.
Authorities said they were investigating the cause of his death.
