Europe heatwave kills 18 in France, including two children

Europe is grappling with a severe heatwave, which has claimed at least 18 lives in France alone, including two young children. The extreme temperatures have led to school closures and altered schedules as meteorologists predict record-breaking heat across the UK this week.

Bordeaux, in western France, recorded a scorching 41.9 degrees Celsius, surpassing a previous August record. Poitiers registered 41.2 degrees Celsius. In Spain, San Sebastian, typically cooler, is expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius, more than double its historical average for June. This intense heat is part of a broader trend, with a World Meteorological Organization report indicating Europe is warming at more than double the global average.

The tragic deaths of the two children, aged two and four, were discovered when their mother found them unconscious in a car outside their home in Carpentras, southeastern France. Three elderly individuals, aged between 80 and 95, also died in the Bordeaux region due to heat-related health issues. Authorities have urged caution, with 13 drowning incidents reported between Sunday and Monday, prompting a spokesperson for the French civil protection service to advise swimming only in supervised areas.

The current heatwave, dubbed an "Omega block" for its resemblance to the Greek letter, involves a mass of hot air from North Africa moving very slowly across the continent. This phenomenon is responsible for the prolonged and intense heat. The UK's Met Office forecasts temperatures could exceed 39 degrees Celsius, potentially breaking June records set in 1957 and 1976. Paris may also see its highest June temperature, with readings possibly reaching 38.4 degrees Celsius.

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Swim only at places that are supervised.