France has recorded over 40 drowning deaths since last week after many people flocked to various water bodies to cool off amid a heatwave covering Europe.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced on Tuesday, 23 June 2026, that 40 people have died by drowning since 18 June while swimming in unsupervised areas to escape the heatwave affecting much of Europe.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Spain are also facing intense heat, with record-breaking temperatures in some regions impacting schools and public transport systems.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported that Europe's temperatures are rising at over twice the global average, increasing the frequency of prolonged heatwaves.
The current heatwave is driven by a weather pattern called an “Omega block,” named for its resemblance to the Greek letter, featuring a bulging mass of hot air flanked by cooler air.
Meteorologists explain that this system creates a “heat dome” that traps hot air over Western and Central Europe, causing temperatures to accumulate and rise daily.
Meteo France, the country’s meteorological agency, stated most of France is under a severe heat warning, expecting temperatures to reach around 40°C on Tuesday, with some western areas possibly hitting 43°C.
The heat has led many French teenagers to jump into canals and rivers to cool down. France’s Sports Minister Marina Ferrari acknowledged the desire to escape the heat but warned about the dangers of swimming in unauthorized or risky areas.
The UK, Italy, Spain, and Belgium are also experiencing severe heatwaves. In Italy, the Ministry of Health issued the highest alert in 15 cities, and the government has imposed work suspensions or reduced hours in some sectors.
Meteorologists predict that after the morning heat, storms will develop in the Alps and Apennine Mountains on Tuesday afternoon, bringing strong gusts, heavy rain, and hail in some areas, with some storms spreading to northern plains later.
The UK is also enduring intense heat, with the Met Office forecasting southern England temperatures could reach 37°C on Tuesday, potentially breaking June records, and rising further on Wednesday and Thursday.
Dozens of schools have announced early closures due to inadequate facilities unsuitable for classrooms with over 30 students under the heat conditions.
Spain’s National Meteorological Agency has issued red alerts across several regions, warning of dangerous heat expected to reach up to 44°C, with temperatures in Andújar already exceeding 45°C.
In Belgium, rising temperatures forced a primary school in Tervuren near Brussels to relocate final exams to a nearby church because classrooms were too hot.
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Source:cna