Man dies during France heatwave; trains, classes canceled

France is grappling with a severe heatwave, with temperatures soaring and authorities issuing orange alerts across the country. The intense heat has already claimed a life, as a 30-year-old man died on an athletics track in Ermont, north of Paris, after suffering cardiac arrest.

The extreme weather has forced significant disruptions. The national railway company, SNCF, has canceled 71 regional trains connecting Paris with southern France to prevent air conditioning failures. Schools are ending classes early, and final high school exams in the Poitiers region have been postponed by a week.

Meteorologists predict the heatwave's peak could arrive Sunday or Monday, coinciding with the summer solstice and the popular Fête de la Musique, a nationwide celebration of music. Some cities have canceled outdoor festivities. In Paris, the city hall has allowed swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin under lifeguard supervision, a measure that had been previously restricted.

Scientific studies confirm that heatwaves in Europe are becoming more frequent due to climate change. Since 1947, France has recorded 51 heatwaves, with 34 occurring since 2000 and 26 since 2011, highlighting a stark trend of increasing intensity and frequency.