Forty people have drowned in France since June 18 while trying to cool off during the intense heatwave, as the country experienced the hottest night ever recorded.

At the same time, almost all of Spain has been placed on alert, several cities in Italy are under red warnings, and Britain is preparing for unprecedented temperatures as a powerful heatwave grips much of Europe. Authorities across the continent are implementing special measures to limit the impact of the extreme heat.

This is the second heatwave to hit Western Europe in less than a month. Scientists increasingly agree that human-induced climate change is making extreme weather events, particularly heatwaves, more intense and more frequent.

Forty People Have Drowned in France Since June 18

The heatwave affecting France has caused “forty deaths” by drowning since June 18, “mostly involving young people,” French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced today.

He described the situation as a “tragic scourge” while chairing a newly established interministerial crisis unit on the seventh day of the heatwave in France.

Earlier, French Minister for Sports and Youth Marina Ferrari urged people to follow safety guidelines. While acknowledging people’s desire to cool off and seek relief in the water, she called for “great caution when choosing places to swim.”

The Hottest Night Ever Recorded in France

The night from Monday into Tuesday was the hottest ever recorded in France since measurements began in 1947, according to the national weather service, Météo-France.

The National Thermal Indicator (ITN), which measures average nighttime temperatures across 30 reference weather stations, reached 21.6°C according to preliminary data released this morning. The previous record was 21.4°C, set on July 25, 2019.

The highest overnight temperature recorded was 28.7°C in Pouzauges, in the Vendée region.

According to Météo-France, yesterday’s nationwide average maximum temperature reached 37.8°C, making it the hottest afternoon ever recorded in the country. The previous record of 37.7°C was set during the historic 2003 heatwave on August 5 of that year.

The meteorological service had already announced that France’s average temperature for the entire day yesterday reached a June record of 29.2°C.

Nuclear Plant Shut Down in Southwestern France

Meanwhile, operations at the Golfech Nuclear Power Plant in southwestern France were suspended last night as a precaution, operator EDF announced.

The shutdown was prompted by forecasts that the temperature of the Garonne River, whose water is used to cool the reactors, would rise to 28°C.

Environmental regulations require nuclear plants to remain within strict river temperature limits to protect aquatic wildlife and ecosystems.

Nearly All of Spain Under Heat Alert

Almost all of Spain has been placed under heat alerts today, with red warnings issued in parts of Andalusia, the Basque Country, and Cantabria.

Areas around Córdoba, regions stretching toward Bilbao, and parts of northern Spain are expected to remain under red alert between 1:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. local time.

Spain’s meteorological agency, AEMET, forecasts temperatures of up to 40°C in shaded areas of the Basque Country.

Red Alert in 15 Italian Cities

The Italian Ministry of Health has declared red heat alerts in 15 cities, including Rome and Milan, with the number expected to rise to 16 tomorrow.

During a red alert, authorities recommend eating light meals, staying indoors during the hottest hours of the day, and keeping cool with water.

Five People Drowned in Germany Over the Weekend

The heatwave has also increased the number of accidental drownings in Germany, with five deaths reported over the weekend.

Two men, aged 20 and 22, drowned in lakes in Bavaria, while a 79-year-old woman drowned in the Baltic Sea.

Two additional drowning deaths occurred in lakes in Brandenburg and North Rhine-Westphalia.

Schools Closed in Britain as Record Temperatures Loom

Many schools across England remained closed today, while others are expected to stay shut until Thursday evening to protect children from the extreme heat.

Britain’s June temperature record of 35.6°C, set in 1957 and matched in 1976, could be broken as temperatures of up to 37°C are forecast for southern England.

The UK’s meteorological service, Met Office, has issued a red warning for Wednesday and Thursday due to an exceptionally rare heatwave.

Temperatures could reach as high as 40°C in parts of southern United Kingdom, including the country’s two largest cities, London and Birmingham.

Portugal Near Historic Temperature Records

Parts of central and northern Portugal could experience temperatures “close to historical records,” according to the Portuguese weather service, IPMA.

Three northern regions remain under orange alert, according to Meteo Portugal.

Fears of Temperature Records in Belgium

In Belgium, temperatures are expected to be “the highest ever recorded” during the coming week, according to a spokesperson for the country’s Royal Meteorological Institute.

French and Belgian authorities have already canceled or reduced some rail services amid concerns that extreme heat could damage infrastructure and cause congestion and delays.