Extreme Heat Wave Batters Western Europe, Forcing People Into Parks and Rivers

A severe heat wave has gripped Western Europe for nearly a week, with temperatures climbing above 40 degrees Celsius and expected to last at least until the coming weekend. In cities such as Paris, where infrastructure is poorly prepared for such extremes, many people spent the night in public parks, jumped into rivers and fountains during the day, and saw many attractions close early.

In France, where air conditioning is uncommon in many homes, residents sought relief outdoors because their apartments stayed uncomfortably hot. The New York Post reported that 40 people have drowned in France since last Thursday, as millions search for ways to escape the extreme temperatures. French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said the dead were mostly young people, and the national weather service Meteo France placed 54 departments, about half the country, under red alert.

The heat is also straining hotels and shutting down or shortening hours at major landmarks. The Louvre said it would close two hours earlier than usual from Wednesday through Saturday, warning that while parts of the historic building are resilient, it is still vulnerable and not adapted enough to climate change. The museum added that heat builds toward the end of the day and is intensified by the large number of visitors.

The Eiffel Tower has also adjusted its schedule and is closing in the afternoon instead of late at night. Schools, public transport and sporting events have been affected as well. The wave is not limited to France, with Italy, Spain and Britain also hit. According to UN climate agency forecasts, human-caused climate change is linked to increasingly extreme weather, and the next five years are expected to bring more record heat.