health
France records hottest day ever as 40 people drown across country
National weather service, Météo-France, says Tuesday was the hottest day since measurements began in 1947
TL;DR
- France registered its hottest day on record with temperatures reaching 44.3C in Pissos.
- 40 deaths by drowning in unsupervised swimming areas have been confirmed across France since June 18.
- Exceptional heatwave led to shortened opening hours for the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.
- Transport networks in the Paris region are under strain, with advice to work from home.
- A nuclear reactor at Golfech was switched off due to high river water temperatures used for cooling.
- Extreme heat is affecting other European countries, causing swimming accidents in Germany and blackouts in Italy.
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged global action on climate change, linking the heatwave to fossil fuels.