Seven deaths in France linked to record-high temperatures

Seven deaths in France have been linked directly or indirectly to an extreme early-summer heat event, with five deaths attributed to drowning. Meteo France reported a Monday high of 37.1°C near Hossegor in Landes, and forecast temperatures across western France to exceed 36°C on Tuesday. Monday was the hottest day measured for a month of May since records began, with a national average of 24.4°C compared with a previous May high of 23.7°C from 1944. The UK recorded its hottest May day on record at 34.8°C in south-west London. Spain expects 36–38°C in major river valleys, with some areas possibly reaching 40°C. Italy’s Lazio imposed work restrictions during peak sun hours, and France issued orange and yellow heat alerts across multiple departments.

"Seven people have died in France in an extreme early-summer heat event that is affecting a swathe of western Europe, as France and the UK set record highs for May and temperatures were forecast to rise further on Tuesday. What I can say today is that there have been seven deaths linked directly or indirectly to the heat, the government spokesperson, Maud Bregeon, told French television TF1, adding that five of the deaths were by drowning."

"Meteo France, the national weather agency, said Monday's highest reading 37.1C was recorded near Hossegor, in the south-western department of Les Landes, adding that temperatures across the west of the country could exceed 36C on Tuesday. It said Monday was the hottest day measured for a month of May since records began, with the national average temperature, measured at 30 stations across the country, hitting 24.4C, compared with a previous high of 23.7C dating back to 1944."

"The UK's Met Office said Monday was the country's hottest May day on record, with temperatures hitting 34.8C at Kew Gardens, south-west London a reading it described as exceptional in the UK even in mid-summer, let alone May. In Spain, widespread highs of 36-38C in the Guadiana, Guadalquivir and Ebro valleys are expected to continue possibly until Friday, the state weather service, Aemet, has said, adding that in some of those areas, temperatures could reach 40C."

"In Italy's Lazio region, which includes Rome, authorities have imposed restrictions on work in conditions with prolonged exposure in the sun for example on farms, construction sites and in the delivery sector between 12.30pm and 4pm. Eight of France's 96 administrative departments have been placed on an orange high-temperature alert, the second-highest level, requiring the population to be vigilant and take precautions, with a further 20 on a more moderate yellow warning."

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