At least 40 people have drowned in France since last Thursday as a record-breaking heatwave sweeps across Europe, prompting authorities to issue urgent safety warnings and activate emergency measures amid soaring temperatures.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said the fatalities were largely linked to people seeking relief from extreme heat in rivers, lakes and other unsupervised swimming areas.
The deaths come as France, Spain and Italy endure some of the highest temperatures recorded in recent years.
France experienced its hottest June day on record on Tuesday, with the national average temperature reaching 29.8 degrees Celsius.
The country also recorded its warmest June night, with minimum temperatures averaging 21.6 degrees Celsius. More than half of France remains under the highest-level red heat alert.
Sports and Youth Minister Marina Ferrari warned that many people were underestimating the dangers associated with swimming in rivers, reservoirs and canals during periods of extreme heat.
“Too many people are heading to rivers and reservoirs without fully understanding the risks,” she said, urging citizens to use supervised swimming areas whenever possible.
Among the victims was a 13-year-old girl who drowned in the River Seine near Fontaine-le-Port on Sunday evening while swimming with her family. Reports indicated that she did not know how to swim.
In another incident, a young professional footballer remains in critical condition after being rescued from the River Rhône near Lyon.
Emergency services responded after four young men encountered difficulties in an area where swimming is prohibited.
French authorities have also linked two additional child deaths to the extreme heat after children aged two and four were found inside a family vehicle in a parking area in the southern city of Carpentras.
The heatwave has also affected neighbouring Germany, where several fatal drowning incidents have been reported.
The German Lifesaving Association (DLRG) said six people died in swimming-related accidents between Friday and Sunday, warning that many swimmers, particularly men, often overestimate their abilities in dangerous conditions.
Meteorologists predict temperatures in parts of western and southwestern Germany could approach 40 degrees Celsius by the end of the week.
In Spain, temperatures are expected to exceed 40 degrees Celsius in several regions, with some rural areas near Córdoba forecast to reach as high as 44 degrees Celsius.
The country’s meteorological agency, Aemet, reported that temperatures reached or exceeded 40 degrees Celsius at more than 100 weather stations on Monday, with a peak of 45 degrees Celsius recorded in Andújar.
Spanish climate experts say heatwaves are becoming increasingly common and are occurring earlier in the summer than in previous decades, a trend they attribute to climate change.
Italy has placed 15 major cities, including Rome, Milan, Florence, Turin and Venice, under red heat alerts. The warnings indicate that weather conditions pose health risks not only to vulnerable groups but also to healthy adults.
To protect workers, the Italian government has reinstated emergency labour measures allowing companies to suspend or reduce outdoor activities during the hottest hours of the day.
Businesses affected by the restrictions will be eligible for state-backed support.
The heatwave is also affecting infrastructure and energy production. In southwestern France, the Golfech nuclear power plant was temporarily shut down after temperatures in the River Garonne, which provides cooling water for the facility, approached legal environmental limits.
Authorities in the Paris region have urged residents to work from home where possible to reduce pressure on transport systems. Regional President Valérie Pécresse warned that railway infrastructure could be disrupted as temperatures rise.
Tourist attractions have also been forced to adjust operations. The Eiffel Tower closed several hours earlier than usual on Tuesday due to the extreme heat, while the Louvre Museum announced reduced opening hours, citing concerns about visitor safety and the impact of high temperatures on its historic buildings.
Weather forecasters expect temperatures to begin easing in Spain from Wednesday. However, the heatwave is forecast to intensify further in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands later this week.
Dutch authorities have issued an orange weather alert, while Belgium has activated the alert phase of its national heat and ozone plan for only the second time since its introduction.
Climate scientists warn that Europe remains the world’s fastest-warming continent, heating at roughly twice the global average rate.
Rising temperatures are contributing to more frequent and intense heatwaves, increased pressure on water resources and a growing risk of wildfires across the region.
As the heatwave reaches its peak, governments across Europe are urging citizens to remain indoors during the hottest hours, stay hydrated and avoid risky outdoor activities, particularly unsupervised swimming, which has emerged as one of the deadliest consequences of the current extreme weather conditions.
