France Reports 40 Drownings as Record Heatwave Sweeps Europe

June 23, 2026
By Mintesinot Nigussie

France’s Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said 40 people have drowned in recent days as residents sought relief from record temperatures by swimming in rivers and other waterways during an intense heatwave affecting much of Europe.

The deaths occurred since June 18, with many victims reported to be young people, Lecornu said ahead of an emergency meeting on the extreme weather conditions. He described the incidents as a “sad scourge” linked to attempts to escape the heat.

France recorded its hottest day on record on Tuesday, according to national weather forecaster Meteo France, with temperatures reaching 44.3 degrees Celsius in a town in the southwest.

Authorities placed 54 departments under red heat alerts, the highest warning level, with the number expected to rise to 58 on Wednesday. Officials said the scale of the alerts was unprecedented.

The heatwave has also affected other parts of Europe, including Britain, Italy, Switzerland and Spain, where extreme temperatures disrupted transport, affected schools and forced some tourist attractions to close. The Eiffel Tower was among sites temporarily shut due to the heat.

Across France, residents have turned to canals, rivers and other water bodies to cool down. Sports Minister Marina Ferrari acknowledged the pressure caused by the heat but warned people against swimming in areas that are not authorised or considered safe.

Emergency services also reported separate heat-related tragedies. In Carpentras, southeast France, two children aged two and four were found unconscious in a family car outside their home on Monday and could not be revived, according to local prosecutors.

Source: FSX Business News