French footballer Kenzo Kies, 21, dies after drowning in the Rhone

French footballer Kenzo Kies, 21, has died after drowning in the Rhone river near Lyon. The Guingamp defender, who came through the youth set-up at Saint-Etienne, had entered the water with three friends to escape the blistering heat, with temperatures hitting 40C in parts of France that week. Pulled from the river in a critical condition by firefighters on Monday, he later died in hospital. The news has cast a shadow over French and European football.

What we know about Kenzo Kies’ death

Kenzo Kies died after drowning in the Rhone river near Lyon, having entered the water with three friends to cool off during a severe heatwave. Temperatures reached 40C in parts of France that week. Three people were pulled to safety by emergency services, but Kies was the last to be found.

Brought out of the water by firefighters on Monday in a critical condition, the 21-year-old was taken to hospital, where he died shortly afterwards. Ligue 2 club Guingamp, where he played, has lost one of its promising young players.

From the Saint-Etienne academy to Ligue 2

Kenzo Kies came through the youth set-up at Saint-Etienne, one of France’s most respected academies, before joining Guingamp in Ligue 2. At 21, he represented the talent of France’s youth development system, recognised worldwide for producing top players.

His sudden death has moved French football, with supporters and former team-mates paying tribute to the young defender on social media.

France’s heatwave and the danger of drowning

Forty people have drowned in heatwave-related deaths in France since the previous Thursday, according to the prime minister. The extreme heat drove many people towards rivers and lakes, where strong currents and the shock of cold water can cause drownings.

The case is a stark reminder, relevant in England too during hot spells: never swim alone, avoid fast-flowing rivers like the Rhone, and enter the water gradually to reduce the effect of cold-water shock.

FAQ