At least 18 people have died in France due to the heatwave, including two children who were inside a car in extremely high temperatures.
Rescuers were unable to revive the children, aged 2 and 4, who were found unconscious by their mother inside the family car outside their home.
Temperatures reached 41.9°C in cities such as Bordeaux, while the heatwave has also affected countries such as Spain, with temperatures of up to 40°C in San Sebastián, and the United Kingdom, where temperatures are expected to reach 39°C in some areas.
A World Meteorological Organization report in April found that Europe is warming at more than twice the global average rate.
“Swim only in supervised areas,” said French Civil Protection spokesperson Jerome Boulanger, after it was reported that 13 people had drowned from Sunday to Monday. Drowning deaths in France rose by 172% last year during heatwaves, as swimmers tried to cool off.
Temperatures are ranging from 5°C to 10°C above normal levels for this time of year.
The heatwave affecting much of Europe is known as an “Omega block” because it takes the shape of the Greek letter, with a mass of warm air in the center and cooler air on either side, said Clair Barnes, a researcher on extreme weather and climate at Imperial College London.
Sources: Guardian
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