PARIS — More than 40 people have drowned in France in recent days as an intense heatwave drove residents to rivers, lakes and other swimming areas in search of relief from record temperatures, French authorities said this week.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said on Tuesday that 40 people had drowned since June 18, many while swimming in unsupervised locations during the period of extreme heat. Officials said a significant number of the victims were young people.
The fatalities came as France endured one of the most severe June heatwaves on record. Météo-France placed dozens of departments under red heat alerts, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in several regions and reaching record levels in parts of the country.
Authorities repeatedly warned the public against entering unsafe or unsupervised waterways. “It’s not something to be taken lightly, going swimming in unsupervised areas during a heatwave,” Sports and Youth Minister Marina Ferrari said, according to French media reports cited by multiple news outlets.
The heatwave has disrupted daily life across France and elsewhere in Europe. Schools closed or adjusted schedules, transportation services experienced delays and cancellations, and public authorities activated emergency measures to protect vulnerable populations.
French officials also reported additional deaths linked to the extreme temperatures. Local authorities in southeastern France said two young children were found unconscious in a vehicle outside their home, while several elderly people were reported to have died during the heatwave. Authorities have not attributed all deaths directly to heat exposure, and details remain under investigation.
Meteorologists said the heatwave was being intensified by a persistent high-pressure weather pattern, often referred to as an “Omega block” or heat dome, which has trapped hot air across western and central Europe. Similar conditions have affected Spain, Italy, Britain and other countries, prompting heat alerts and public health warnings.
By Wednesday, French authorities reported that the number of drowning deaths had risen further, with officials citing 48 drownings linked to the period of extreme heat. Emergency services continued to urge caution around open water as high temperatures persisted across much of the country.
The heatwave remained ongoing on Thursday, with authorities maintaining warnings in several regions while monitoring weather conditions and public safety risks.
