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A deadly heatwave sweeping across Europe has already claimed dozens of lives in France, where 40 people have died from drowning since last weekend after heading into water to escape soaring temperatures.
Authorities say many of the victims tried to cool off in rivers, lakes and unguarded swimming spots as a powerful heatwave pushed temperatures to dangerous levels across much of the country.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said the deaths are directly linked to the extreme heat gripping France since June 18, warning that the situation remains serious as temperatures continue to rise.
Hottest night on record
France also recorded its hottest night ever between Monday and Tuesday, underscoring just how intense the weather system has become.
The national weather service, Météo-France, warned that temperatures in many regions are expected to reach 40°C, with parts of western France potentially hitting 43°C in the coming days.
Officials have urged people to avoid risky swimming spots, stressing that the search for relief from the heat can quickly turn dangerous.
“Omega” weather system trapping heat
Meteorologists say the extreme conditions are being driven by a large atmospheric pattern known as the “Omega” system, named after its resemblance to the Greek letter Ω.
The system acts like a “heat dome," trapping hot air over western and central Europe and preventing cooler air from moving in. The result is several days of steadily rising temperatures with little relief, even at night.
According to the World Meteorological Organization, Europe is warming at more than twice the global average, increasing both the frequency and severity of such heatwaves.
Europe-wide disruption
The heat is not limited to France.
- In Italy, the highest heat alert has been issued for 15 cities.
- In the UK, temperatures could reach 39°C, with some schools closing early and rail operators warning against unnecessary travel.
- In Spain, forecasts suggest peaks of up to 44°C, with some areas already exceeding 45°C.
- In Belgium, at least one school near Brussels moved exams to a church to avoid dangerous classroom temperatures.
Transport systems have also been hit. In France, several rail services, including routes between Paris and Brussels, have been cancelled.
In the UK, Network Rail warned passengers to expect delays and speed restrictions, saying train travel should be limited to essential journeys only to protect infrastructure from overheating.
Daily life slows down
The heatwave is also taking a toll on the economy.
France’s main employers’ organization, MEDEF, said many companies are scaling back operations to protect workers from extreme temperatures, effectively slowing productivity across several sectors.
At the same time, sudden storms have added to the chaos in parts of London, including around Heathrow Airport, causing further disruption to travel.
As Europe continues to swelter under the “Omega” system, officials across the continent are urging the public to take extreme caution, especially when seeking relief from the heat, where even a quick swim has already proven deadly.
