40 drowning deaths reported in France as Europe swelters in heat wave

Key Points:

• France recorded 40 drowning deaths last week, mainly among young people, as many sought relief from a severe heat wave causing temperatures above 104°F across the country.
• The heat wave, expected to last until at least the weekend, has disrupted schools, public transport, and major landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Louvre, which adjusted their hours due to the extreme temperatures.
• Meteo France reported record-breaking temperatures, including the hottest day and night in June on record, with the heat wave reaching a "plateau of severity" and spreading over half the country.
• Other European nations, including Spain, Italy, and the UK, are also experiencing extreme heat, with Spain issuing red alerts for temperatures up to 111°F and the UK implementing school closures and train cancellations due to red heat warnings.
• Climate experts link the intensifying and early heat waves to human-driven climate change, noting Europe is warming twice as fast as the global average, with heat-related deaths exceeding 200,000 in recent years and projections indicating more record-breaking temperatures ahead.