Paris officials have asked major supermarket chains to help supply ice to firefighters, as Europe’s historic heatwave places growing pressure on emergency services and hospitals.

The city made the appeal amid concern that firefighters could run short of ice packs used to cool people suffering from heatstroke. In France, firefighters are often among the first emergency responders, particularly in cases involving sudden illness, accidents and heat-related distress.

The request was confirmed by two industry professionals who spoke on condition of anonymity. Alexandre Bompard, chairman and CEO of Carrefour, one of France’s largest supermarket groups, said in a LinkedIn post that the company had donated four tonnes of ice to Paris firefighters.

The emergency measure comes as France endures one of the most intense early-summer heatwaves in its modern history. Météo-France recorded the country’s hottest night since national records began in 1947, with the national nighttime heat indicator reaching 21.6°C. The country also registered one of its hottest days on record, with the national average temperature approaching 30°C.

Paris has been among the cities worst affected. Temperatures in the capital reached 40.9°C this week, a June record, forcing major landmarks including the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre to restrict visiting hours. Authorities have also extended park opening times, closed schools and introduced temporary restrictions on public alcohol consumption during peak heat periods.

The health impact has been severe. French Health Minister Stéphanie Rist said 25 cardiac arrests were recorded in Paris in a 24-hour period, compared with fewer than 10 on a normal day. Officials have also warned of a sharp rise in drowning deaths, as people try to cool off in rivers, lakes and other unsupervised swimming areas.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said the heatwave had led to an increase in mortality, though she did not provide specific figures.

Across France, tens of millions of people have been placed under red or orange heat alerts. The heatwave has disrupted schools, transport, tourism and energy production, while hospitals and emergency responders continue to face unusually high demand.

Scientists have repeatedly warned that Europe is heating faster than the global average, making extreme heat events more frequent, more intense and more dangerous, particularly in large cities where dense construction and limited greenery trap heat overnight.