France records 40 drowning deaths amid record heatwave
The high temperatures that are plaguing the European continent have resulted in 40 deaths from drowning in France since June 18, mostly affecting young people, according to an official government statement this Tuesday (23).
The announcement was made by French Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, during an emergency meeting to discuss the heat situation. On the same Tuesday, the country faced the hottest dawn ever documented in its history.
Sports Minister Marina Ferrari highlighted that many French citizens seek relief from the heat in canals and rivers. She issued a stern warning, asking people to avoid swimming in places that are not permitted or pose a danger.
According to information from the AFP news agency, around 90% of the French population lives in regions where official bodies have issued red or orange alerts for intense heat this Tuesday. In the west of the country, temperatures can reach up to 43°C.
Even overnight, weather conditions offered little respite, with approximately 30 monitoring stations still indicating temperatures above 25°C.
In a region of the French capital, the City Hall made free cinema tickets available to individuals under 25 or over 65, allowing them to take refuge in air-conditioned environments. There were also cancellations of some train services, including on the route between Paris and Brussels.
“France operates at a slower pace. Companies, as far as they can, are following the guidelines to ensure the protection of their employees,” said Patrick Martin, president of MEDEF, the country’s main employers’ association, in an interview with BFM TV.
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Other countries such as the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain and Belgium are also feeling the impacts of this heat wave.
In Italy, the Ministry of Health declared a maximum level alert in 15 cities, leading the government to institute measures to interrupt or reduce operations in specific sectors.
Dozens of educational institutions in the United Kingdom have brought forward the closure of classes, justified by the inadequacy of their old buildings to house rooms with more than thirty students in hot conditions.
According to the World Meteorological Organization, the European continent is experiencing warming at a rate greater than twice the global average, which significantly increases the likelihood of longer-lasting and more intense heat episodes.
