On Saturday evening, around 9pm in the fifth arrondissement, police were notified that a person in cardiac arrest had fallen into the Seine. Witnesses said the individual had jumped into the river voluntarily before disappearing beneath the surface.
The river brigade of the fire and rescue service recovered the victim. Despite emergency care provided by Samu Hôtel-Dieu, the person, who was born in Rwanda in 1997, was taken to hospital in critical condition. On Tuesday, Paris prosecutors confirmed the individual's death. An inquiry into the cause of death has been assigned to police in the fifth and sixth arrondissements.
On Sunday morning, another man was found in the Seine near the Pont Louis-Philippe. According to a police call, he was believed to have fallen into the water near Pont-au-Change. Despite emergency intervention, he could not be revived, and an investigation has been launched to clarify the circumstances.
Celebrations prompt debate over public order
The incidents occurred during citywide celebrations of PSG's Champions League win, which not only brought large crowds but also sparked debate over crowd control and security. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said there were more than 890 arrests across Saturday and Sunday, an increase of more than 45% compared with 2025, when the club first won a European title.
As serious incidents continue to occur during major public events such as sporting celebrations or national festivities such as the Fête de la musique, politicians and local authorities in France are struggling to devise effective strategies to ensure public safety.
