local
French soccer player drowns after trying to beat heat
By Bob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk at WSB-TV (ABC) - News
· June 25, 2026
· 2 min read
A French soccer player who was trying to cool off during Europe’s heat wave has died from drowning, authorities said Thursday.Read more trending news Kenzo Kies, 21, who played for the Guingamp reserve team, died after being pulled from a prohibited swimming area of the Rhone River on Monday, the...
Key takeaway Read more trending news Kenzo Kies, 21, who played for the Guingamp reserve team, died after being pulled from a prohibited swimming area of the Rhone River on Monday, the BBC reported.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The tragic death of French soccer player Kenzo Kies serves as a stark reminder for Atlanta residents to exercise caution when seeking relief from the heat in local waterways. As temperatures in Atlanta often reach extreme highs during the summer months, residents may be tempted to cool off in nearby lakes, rivers, or pools. However, the risks associated with unsupervised swimming, as seen in Kies' case, are very real. The fact that 40 people have drowned in heat-related deaths in France since June 18 is a sobering statistic that Atlanta residents should take note of. Local authorities and community leaders should emphasize the importance of swimming safety and provide accessible, supervised swimming areas for residents to enjoy during the hot summer months. By doing so, Atlanta can reduce the risk of similar tragedies occurring in its own community.
About this story
Original reporting by WSB-TV (ABC) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSB-TV (ABC) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: WSB-TV (ABC) - News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A French soccer player who was trying to cool off during Europe’s heat wave has died from drowning, authorities said Thursday.Read more trending news Kenzo Kies, 21, who played for the Guingamp reserve team, died after being pulled from a prohibited swimming area of the Rhone River on Monday, the...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by WSB-TV (ABC) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Bob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk at WSB-TV (ABC) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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