France reported seven deaths connected directly or indirectly to a heatwave affecting western Europe. Five of the deaths were drownings occurring in different locations across France, from the southeast near Lyon to the Atlantic coast. The government said the exact figures and causes would be clarified after the current heat episode ends. Temperatures in France had already reached record levels, and the heatwave was expected to intensify on Tuesday. Eight departments in western France were placed on orange heat alert, the first such alert for May. High temperatures on Monday led many people to beaches to cool off, even though lifeguard supervision often does not begin until July.
"“What I can say today is that there have been seven deaths directly or indirectly related to the heat,” government spokesperson Maud Bregeon told television broadcaster TF1. Bregeon added that the figures and specific causes of death would need “to be clarified once the episode we are currently experiencing has come to an end”."
"The heatwave that has already seen record-breaking temperatures across the country was expected to intensify Tuesday, with eight departments in western France placed on orange heat alert -- a first for the month of May. Bregeon's office told AFP that the drowning incidents occurred in different areas across France, from southeast Lyon to the Atlantic coast."
"High temperatures on Monday drove many people to the country's beaches to cool off in the water, even though lifeguard supervision is not due to start in many areas until July. “We were just wondering this morning whether the beach was supervised,” Thomas Dupuy told AFP while visiting a beach in the southwestern city of Anglet with his two young children."
"“I'm extremely careful for myself, for my children who can't swim yet,” he added. “We know the currents can pull you out, the Atlantic beaches are dangerous.”"
Read at www.thelocal.fr
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