A severe heatwave sweeping across Europe has left at least 18 people dead in France, including two young children found in a hot car, as several cities recorded extreme temperatures and authorities warned of mounting health risks.
The two children, aged 2 and 4, were found unconscious in a family vehicle outside their home in Carpentras, southeastern France. Emergency services were unable to revive them, local officials said.
Three elderly people, aged between 80 and 95, also died in the Bordeaux region from heat-related health problems, according to French authorities.
The heat has pushed temperatures to record levels in parts of France. Bordeaux reached 41.9°C, breaking its previous all-time high, while Poitiers recorded 41.2°C, surpassing a record that had stood since 1947. Paris was also close to marking its hottest June day, with temperatures reaching around 38.4°C.
Schools in several areas were closed or placed on adjusted schedules as officials urged residents to stay indoors during the hottest hours, drink water regularly and check on vulnerable people.
Authorities also warned against swimming in unsupervised areas after a rise in drowning incidents, as many people sought relief from the heat in rivers, lakes and beaches.
The heatwave is affecting much of the continent. In Spain, temperatures in northern areas rose far above seasonal averages, with San Sebastián expected to reach around 40°C. Italy issued red heat alerts for 12 cities, while power demand strained parts of the electricity grid in Turin, prompting utility crews to add generators and extend shifts.
In Belgium, a wildlife rescue centre said it had received around 150 heat-stressed animals in three days, including birds forced from overheated nests under rooftops.
Meteorologists say the heat is linked to a slow-moving weather pattern that has trapped hot air over Europe and pulled warmer air north from North Africa.
Scientists have repeatedly warned that Europe is warming faster than the global average, making extreme heat events more frequent and more dangerous.
Authorities across the region are urging people to take the heat seriously, as emergency services brace for further pressure in the coming days.
