An unusual heatwave has killed at least 18 people in France and is intensifying across much of Europe. The fatalities include two small children, ages 2 and 4, who were found in their family car in southeastern France after being left there by their mother, according to prosecutors in Carpentras. Three elderly people, aged 80 to 95, died over the weekend near Bordeaux from health problems linked to the extreme heat, and 13 others drowned on Sunday and Monday while trying to cool off.
French civil protection spokesman Jerome Boulanger urged people to swim only in places with lifeguards. He said drowning deaths in France rose by 172% during last year’s heatwaves as many people sought relief in the water. The heat has also forced schools to close or change schedules in parts of the country.
Temperatures have broken records in several cities. Bordeaux reached 41.9 degrees Celsius, a new high that surpassed August’s previous record. Poitiers hit 41.2 degrees, above the mark set in 1947. Paris is expected to reach 38.4 degrees, which could become a new June record.
Elsewhere in Europe, the heat is also severe. San Sebastian in northern Spain is forecast to reach 40 degrees, more than twice its historical average for June 22. The World Meteorological Organization said in an April report that Europe is warming faster than any other continent, at more than twice the global average. Imperial College London researcher Clare Barnes said the current heatwave is being driven by an atmospheric “omega block” that pulls in hot air from North Africa and the Sahara and moves so slowly that there is almost no cooling wind. She added that climate change is increasing the intensity of heatwaves and storms, raising temperatures and bringing more precipitation.
Britain is bracing for a four-day heatwave, with the Met Office warning temperatures could exceed 39 degrees and easily beat June records from 1957 and 1976. Italy has declared red alerts in 12 cities, and in Turin the power company has doubled shifts and added generators after localized blackouts caused by heavy strain on the grid. In Belgium, wildlife rescuer Roman de Jager said birds nesting under roofs are especially vulnerable because roof temperatures can reach 50 to 60 degrees, and 150 animals arrived at her rehabilitation center in the past three days.
