France records 40 drowning deaths
Extreme temperatures have created a public health emergency across Europe, disrupting transport, closing schools and forcing major attractions such as the Eiffel Tower to suspend access.
In France, 40 people have drowned since June 18 while attempting to escape the heat, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said before an emergency government meeting. Most of the victims were young.
Lecornu described the deaths as “a sad scourge”. Sports Minister Marina Ferrari acknowledged the need to cool down but urged people to avoid swimming in unauthorized locations, rivers and other dangerous waters.
France experiences its hottest recorded day
Tuesday became France’s hottest day on record, with temperatures reaching 44.3 degrees Celsius, equivalent to 111.74 degrees Fahrenheit, in a southwestern town.
An unprecedented 54 departments were placed under red alerts, with that number expected to rise to 58 on Wednesday. The Eiffel Tower closed at 4 p.m., or 1400 GMT, because of the dangerous conditions.
A separate tragedy occurred on Monday near Carpentras in southeastern France. Two children aged 2 and 4 were found unconscious by their mother inside the family car outside their home. Emergency workers were unable to revive them.
An Omega block traps hot air
The prolonged heat is linked to an Omega block, a weather pattern shaped like the Greek letter Ω. Hot air becomes trapped between two cooler systems, allowing temperatures to intensify over successive days.
Climate change is increasing the severity of heatwaves and storms. Europe is warming at more than twice the global average, according to the World Meteorological Organization, making prolonged periods of extreme heat increasingly probable.
Current conditions in France have been compared with the August 2003 heatwave, which continued for 16 days and was associated with an estimated 80,000 excess deaths across Europe.
“Thursday will once again be a sweltering day (in France), with temperatures remaining just as high. On Friday, a gradual drop is expected to begin from the Atlantic coast,” Meteo France said. It remains unclear when the wider episode will end.
Italy and Britain impose emergency measures
Italy’s health ministry activated its highest alert level in 15 cities, while authorities restricted work in certain industries. Storms forecast over the Alps and Apennines could bring torrential rain, hail and strong winds.
In southern England, temperatures were expected to reach 37 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, potentially establishing a new June record before climbing further on Wednesday and Thursday. Dozens of British schools planned to dismiss students early.
Rail systems across Europe also came under pressure, leading operators to cancel services or reduce train speeds.
Spain opens shelters for vulnerable residents
Red warnings were issued in parts of Spain as forecasts pointed to temperatures of up to 44 degrees Celsius. Dozens of northern municipalities cancelled traditional bonfires because of the heightened wildfire danger.
Madrid opened climate shelters for homeless residents and other vulnerable groups. In Belgium, a primary school near Brussels transferred its final examinations to a local church because classrooms had become too hot.
Switzerland’s northeastern canton of St. Gallen restricted the removal of water from rivers and lakes due to elevated temperatures and declining water levels.
Demand for cooling equipment surges
Fans and air-conditioning units rapidly disappeared from stores in affected cities. Paris filmmaker Victoria Yakubov secured one of the final fans available at a local shop.
“I came quick, I haven’t even had my coffee this morning, I ran here to buy an electric fan,” she said. “Everything was gone in less than 30 minutes.”
Demand was similarly intense in London. Paul Marsden, manager of the John Lewis branch on Oxford Street, said fans were “flying off the shelves”.
Tourists seek cooler destinations
The heat is also changing European holiday plans. Northern destinations are attracting travellers interested in a “coolcation” rather than enduring extreme temperatures farther south.
“We were thinking about travelling to Croatia, but we came to Sweden because it’s cooler here,” German tourist Katharina Rexing said in Stockholm’s Old Town.
Temperatures in the Swedish capital stood at 22 degrees Celsius that day, compared with 30 degrees in Zagreb, Croatia. Beyond tourism, the heatwave is affecting physical and mental health, forcing businesses to modify operations and threatening grain harvests.
