France has reported 40 heatwave-related drowning deaths since last Thursday, as extreme temperatures continue to affect large parts of Europe. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu as several countries face record-breaking heat and growing public health concerns.
French authorities have warned residents against swimming in unsupervised rivers, lakes, and canals in an attempt to escape the heat. Sports and Youth Minister Marina Ferrari stressed that many people underestimate the dangers of natural waterways during periods of extreme weather.
France, Spain, and Italy remain among the countries most affected by the current heatwave. On Monday, France recorded its hottest June day ever, followed by its warmest June night on record. According to Météo France, the average minimum temperature reached 21.6°C, while more than half of the country remained under the highest level of heat alert.
Several tragic incidents have been linked to the soaring temperatures. Among the victims was a 13-year-old girl who drowned in the River Seine near Fontaine-le-Port while swimming with her family. Reports indicated that she was unable to swim. In another case, a young football player was hospitalized in critical condition after being rescued from the River Rhône near Lyon, where swimming is prohibited.
Authorities also linked the deaths of two young children, aged two and four, to the extreme heat after they were discovered inside a parked vehicle in the southern city of Carpentras.
The heatwave is not limited to France. In Spain, temperatures are expected to exceed 40°C in several regions, with some rural areas near Córdoba forecast to reach 44°C. The national weather agency, Aemet, has issued red alerts in parts of Andalusia, Cantabria, and the Basque Country.
Climate experts note that Spain is among the European countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Data from Aemet show that heatwaves are becoming increasingly frequent, especially at the beginning of summer. Between 2000 and 2025, mainland Spain experienced ten June heatwaves, compared with only two during the previous quarter-century.
Italy has also placed 15 cities, including Rome, Milan, Florence, Turin, and Venice, under red heat alerts. The warnings indicate conditions that pose significant health risks not only to vulnerable groups but also to healthy adults.
To protect workers exposed to extreme temperatures, the Italian government has reactivated emergency labor measures. The policy allows companies in sectors such as agriculture and construction to reduce or suspend activities during the hottest hours of the day while benefiting from government-backed financial support.
Germany has also reported several drowning incidents linked to the hot weather. The German Lifesaving Association recorded six fatal accidents between Friday and Sunday, noting that many victims had overestimated their swimming abilities.
The extreme heat is also affecting infrastructure. In southwestern France, the Golfech nuclear power plant was temporarily shut down after temperatures in the River Garonne approached the legal limit for reactor cooling operations. French regulations prohibit the use of river water above 28°C for cooling purposes, prompting the precautionary closure.
As Europe endures one of its most intense early-summer heatwaves in recent years, authorities across the continent continue to urge caution and encourage residents to take protective measures against the dangerous conditions.
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