France is grappling with a deadly heatwave that has claimed at least 40 lives through drowning in unsupervised swimming areas since June 18, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced on Tuesday. The drownings have been described as a "tragic scourge" as the country faces an "episode of exceptional intensity" with temperatures soaring to 43°C (109°F) in parts of western France.
Record-breaking heat
Lecornu was preparing to chair a crisis meeting with ministers to address the heatwave, which has shattered local and national temperature records. "Every day and every night, local and national temperature records are being broken," Lecornu said. The national weather service, Météo-France, placed 54 departments under a red heatwave alert as "oppressive and exhausting" heat smothered about half the country.
Overnight temperatures were the hottest since record-keeping began in 1947. Early Tuesday, France's national heat index—an average of day and night-time highs at 30 weather stations—reached a record 21.6°C, according to preliminary figures. The previous record of 21.4°C was set on July 25, 2019.
Crisis response
Lecornu said most victims of the drownings were young people. The crisis meeting aimed to coordinate emergency services and public warnings. Authorities urged caution near water bodies and emphasized the dangers of swimming in unsupervised areas during extreme heat.
The heatwave has also affected neighboring Spain, with parts of the country recording overnight temperatures above 30°C. The extreme weather is expected to persist, with health officials advising residents to stay hydrated and avoid outdoor activities during peak heat.
