Kenzo Kies, a 21-year-old French professional footballer, has died after drowning in the Rhone river. Kies, a member of the Guingamp Ligue 2 reserve squad, was rescued by firefighters on Monday in critical condition but subsequently passed away at the hospital.
Seeking relief from the record-breaking 40C heatwave currently impacting France, Kies had entered the water near Lyon with three companions. While emergency responders successfully recovered his friends, Kies remained submerged longer and was the final individual retrieved. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu reported that nearly 40 people have perished in water-related accidents across the nation since last Thursday as a direct result of the intense temperatures.
Kies previously trained within the youth academies of Lyon and Saint-Etienne before signing with Guingamp last year. Both clubs have expressed deep sorrow regarding his passing. Guingamp pledged full support to his grieving family, while Saint-Etienne honored him as a gifted and humble athlete. Plans are being finalized to hold a memorial tribute for Kies at the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium when the upcoming season commences.
