40 people have drowned in France over recent days as they sought to cool down to escape record heat, the prime minister said on Tuesday, as a heatwave swept across much of Europe, Reuters reported.
Britain, Italy, Switzerland and Spain were also sweltering in extreme heat, with record temperatures in some regions disrupting schools and transport networks.
Europe is warming at more than twice the global average, according to the World Meteorological Organisation, making such prolonged heat episodes increasingly likely.
Much of France is under severe heat alert and set to experience temperatures around 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) on Tuesday, Meteo France said, with temperatures of up to 43°C expected in some parts of western France.
The country has just recorded its hottest afternoon and night since records began in 1947. Fifty-four departments are under red alert in what forecasters said was unprecedented.
Across France, people have been jumping into canals and rivers to cool off. French Sports Minister Marina Ferrari said she understood the urge to escape the heat but warned against swimming in unauthorised or dangerous areas.
bd-pratidin/GR
