Two who drowned at Verdun beach in June were outside designated swim area
Hundreds of beachgoers descended on Verdun beach Tuesday, one day after a second swimmer in the span of just over two weeks had drowned in its waters.
Both swimmers had been outside of the designated swim area when they went missing, Montreal police spokesperson Véronique Dubuc told The Gazette.
Six lifeguards were on duty on Tuesday, according to a lifeguard who wasn't authorized to speak to the media, who added that this is the typical number for a public holiday. He confirmed that neither swimmer had stayed within the buoys marking the sanctioned swimming zone when they had gone missing.
Swimmers and sunbathers had to compete to secure limited spots in front of the swim area on a scorching Fête nationale that saw Environment Canada issue a heat warning and measuring Humidex values in the 40s.
The official swim area 'is very small,' beachgoer Naomi Pieton told The Gazette. 'There are too many people, so people go farther,' she said.
Pieton, who said she was aware of the drownings, sat just outside of the marked area, but said she would be attentive to the strong current that risks pulling people underwater.
'We're going to stay in the closed-off zone,' said Mathilde, who was at the beach with her young child.
Borough of Verdun spokesperson Catherine Charbonneau declined The Gazette's request to answer questions about safety measures at the beach in the wake of the two deaths.
By mid-afternoon, workers could be seen installing fences around unofficial bathing spots in the area, though people in those areas didn't leave.
This story was originally published June 24, 2025 at 3:33 PM.
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