The report says the incident happened on Monday near Parc de la Feyssine, where bathing is prohibited. Emergency services were reportedly called at around 17:30 local time.
Kies’ three friends were rescued, while the Guingamp player was the last to be recovered from the river. The incident came as soaring temperatures pushed people towards rivers and other unofficial swimming areas in search of relief.
The circumstances underline the risks created when extreme heat drives people towards water without lifeguards, clear access controls or safe swimming conditions.
The report says Guingamp paid tribute to Kies, describing him as a talented and respected member of the squad and coaching staff. His position was listed as right winger, a role that had placed him within the club’s Ligue 2 setup.
For a professional club, the loss reaches well beyond football. Teammates, coaches and staff are now facing the death of a player who was still at the beginning of his career, with his development interrupted by a tragedy away from the pitch.
No match result or transfer storyline can carry greater weight than the immediate human impact on those closest to him.
The coming days will likely focus on how Guingamp supports Kies’ family, teammates and staff while the circumstances surrounding the drowning are reviewed. The club’s next public message and its response around the next fixture will be watched closely.
Kies’ reported death is also a wider warning during France’s heatwave: rivers may offer apparent relief, but unsupervised water can turn dangerous quickly.