40 people have tragically drowned in France over the past few days as they sought relief from record heat caused by a European-wide heatwave.
The prime minister noted on Tuesday that Britain, Italy, Switzerland, and Spain were also enduring scorching conditions, disrupting daily life through schools and transport networks. According to the World Meteorological Organization, Europe is experiencing more than twice the global average temperature increase, making such intense heatwaves more frequent.
France has been particularly hard-hit with severe heat warnings across much of the country, hitting up to 43°C in some regions, including western parts that recently recorded their hottest temperatures since 1947.
Around this time, people have turned to canals and rivers for cooling off; however, French Sports Minister Marina Ferrari warned against unauthorized or risky swimming.
At an emergency meeting on the heatwave, French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu highlighted a concerning rise in drownings, with most victims being young individuals. A prosecutor shared news that two children aged 2 and 4 succumbed to unconsciousness found by their mother in Carpentras.
In Paris, commuting faced challenges as many trains were canceled due to sweltering conditions, affecting daily business operations. The head of France’s MEDEF employers group suggested businesses are adapting to protect workers under these difficult circumstances.
Source: Original report
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