Severe Heatwave Grips Europe as France Issues Record Red Alert

France activated a red heat alert on Sunday for more than one-third of its departments and administrative regions as a heatwave that began last week intensifies further this week. Meteorologists say temperatures in some parts of the country could reach 41C, nighttime lows may stay as high as 30C in places, and the nationwide average could break an all-time record. Paris is included in the red alert zone and may hit 37C, while city authorities are keeping parks and gardens open overnight to help residents and tourists cope.

The alert covers 35 of France’s 96 departments and regions, with another 45 under orange warning, the highest number ever placed under red alert. The heat has already disrupted transport and education, prompting train cancellations and school closures. On the day of the annual Fete de la Musique, officials in red-alert areas said alcohol consumption will be banned at events to reduce pressure on emergency services and allow medics to focus on the most vulnerable. Outdoor sports events were also canceled.

The heat is affecting much of Europe, including Italy, Spain, Germany, Switzerland and Britain. Rome’s tourist sites became endurance tests over the weekend, with visitors queueing in the sun outside the Colosseum and seeking cooler underground spaces near the ruins of the Temple of Claudius. In Bologna, people were seen cooling off at the 16th-century Neptune Fountain. Germany’s weather service warned that heat and humidity could trigger severe thunderstorms, and Switzerland recorded 35.7C in Schaffhausen, its hottest June temperature ever.

In Spain, the football federation closed the giant fan zone in Madrid’s Plaza de Colon, so supporters will have to watch Spain’s World Cup match against Saudi Arabia at 19:00 Israel time elsewhere. In Britain, forecasters said there is a 40 percent chance of a new June temperature record, first set in 1976. Scientists say heatwaves in Europe are becoming more frequent and severe because of climate change, and the World Health Organization says most of the estimated 200,000 heat-related deaths in Europe over the past four years could have been prevented.