WRAPUP 6-Thirteen Drown Across France as People Seek Relief From European Heatwave
Record temperatures and heat-related drownings strained schools and power grids as forecasters warned more June highs could fall across Europe.
- On Monday, June 22, 2026, a record-breaking heatwave gripped Europe, causing at least 18 deaths in France, including three elderly residents in Bordeaux, two children in a car, and 13 drowning victims.
- The heatwave, known as an Omega block, traps hot air from North Africa and the Sahara over the continent; Imperial College researcher Clair Barnes noted the pattern prevents cooling breezes.
- Italy issued red heatwave alerts for 12 cities, while Britain's Met Office predicts temperatures above 39 C, and Spain's AEMET spokesperson Rubn del Campo reported northern areas are more than 10 degrees above average.
- French Civil Safety spokesperson Jerome Boulanger urged the public to "Swim only in places that are supervised," while Romaine de Jaegere reported 150 birds were rescued after jumping from nests to escape extreme heat.
- Schools in France are closing or modifying timetables to manage the extreme weather, while the World Meteorological Organization previously reported Europe is warming at more than double the global rate.
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12 Articles
France sizzles in punishing heat that is already causing deaths - Regional Media News
PARIS (AP) - France gritted its teeth Monday for a week of record-busting temperatures, sweltering in a heat wave with daytime highs above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) and sleep-robbing sweaty nights. The national weather service, Meteo France, said most of the country - the largest in the European Union - was entering conditions that likely won't ease before Friday. Meteo France called the heat wave exceptionally intense and simi…
13 drown across France as people seek relief from soaring temperatures
A fierce heatwave sweeping Europe left three elderly people dead in France and 13 swimmers drowned as authorities widened warnings. With red alerts issued, schools disrupted and record temperatures forecast in Britain, officials urged caution as the extreme spell intensified.
At least thirteen people drowned across France this past weekend, reports the French broadcaster BFMTV. Among the drowned are two minors.
This is stated by the French Civil Protection spokesman (ANSA)
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