Millions across Europe are experiencing extreme temperatures, with France recording 40 drowning deaths in the past week as residents seek relief from the intense heat. The national weather service, Meteo France, has issued a red heat wave alert for 54 departments, covering roughly half of the country, as temperatures are expected to remain high around the clock.
Italy, Spain, and Britain are also affected by the early summer heat wave. Human-caused climate change is increasingly linked to extreme weather events, and projections from the UN climate agency indicate that the next five years are likely to set new heat records. The fatalities in France, primarily among young people, occurred since last Thursday, according to Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu.
In France, a country not widely equipped with air conditioning, the extreme conditions have impacted schools, public transportation, and sporting events. Major cultural sites are adjusting their operations; the Eiffel Tower has shortened its operating hours, closing in the afternoon instead of late at night. The Louvre museum will close two hours earlier than usual from Wednesday through Saturday, citing the building's vulnerability and insufficient adaptation to climate change, noting that heat buildup is exacerbated by visitor numbers later in the day.
Daytime highs in many French towns are forecast to exceed 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) and are expected to persist through the end of the week. Many people are seeking ways to cool down, with some congregating in public fountains and by waterways.
