At least 40 people have drowned in France in recent days as a severe and record-breaking heatwave continues to grip Europe, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu confirmed on Tuesday.
The victims reportedly entered rivers, canals and other water bodies to escape the scorching heat. Most of those who died were young people, according to government sources.
The unprecedented heatwave has affected several European countries, including France, United Kingdom, Italy and Spain, where temperatures have soared to dangerous levels, disrupting schools, transport and daily routines.
The World Meteorological Organization warned that Europe is warming at more than twice the global average, increasing the likelihood of prolonged and intense heatwaves.
France’s national weather agency, Météo-France, issued red alerts across 54 administrative regions, warning temperatures could reach up to 43 degrees Celsius in western parts of the country.
Authorities described the heat as unprecedented, marking the hottest daytime and nighttime temperatures recorded since weather tracking began in 1947.
French Sports Minister Marina Ferrari urged the public to avoid swimming in unsafe or unauthorized areas, despite the intense desire to cool off.
In a separate tragic incident, two children aged two and four were found unconscious inside a parked family car in southeastern France and later pronounced dead.
The heatwave has also severely impacted transportation, with several train services between Paris and Brussels cancelled due to extreme weather conditions.
In the UK, temperatures in southern England are expected to hit 37 degrees Celsius, potentially breaking June records. Several schools have announced early closures as old buildings struggle to remain habitable.
Meanwhile, Spain has issued red alerts in multiple regions, with temperatures climbing to 44 degrees Celsius, while Italy has placed 15 cities under the highest level of heat warning.
Meteorologists said the heatwave was intensified by an “Omega Block” weather pattern, which traps hot air over the continent for extended periods. Climate experts warned that global warming is making such extreme weather events more frequent and severe.
