Paris, France – French authorities have urged citizens to exercise caution as a severe heatwave continues to grip large parts of Western Europe. The heatwave has caused dozens of deaths,
disrupted services, and forced the closure of schools and cultural sites.
Health preparedness to face the effects of the heat
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced the activation
of the highest level of alert for healthcare services to address the effects of the heatwave.
This allows for the postponement of non-urgent surgeries and the redirection of medical resources to care for thos affected.
On Wednesday, Paris recorded its highest temperature ever for the month of June, reaching 40.9 degrees Celsius.
Officials warned of the dangers of direct exposure to the extreme heat, particularly for those aged 50 to 70.
Increased casualties and disruption to education
French authorities have reported that at least 48 people have drowned since the start of the heatwave.
Two children also died after being exposed to high temperatures inside a car.
The French Ministry of Education announced the closure of approximately 13,500 schools
or adjustments to class schedules due to the difficulty of ensuring safe conditions for students.
This comes as high temperatures continue to affect many regions.
Europe is facing an unprecedented heat wave
In Italy, Health Minister Horazio Schillaci convened a meeting to discuss
the impact of the heatwave following reports of five deaths due to heat-related incidents.
In London, some tourist attractions closed. Additionally, transportation in southern England was affected by the extreme heat.
Meanwhile, the French meteorological service predicted that the heatwave would begin to subside gradually starting Friday.
In contrast, Germany, Austria, and Italy are bracing for an even more intense heatwave in the coming days.
Temperatures in some parts of Germany are expected to reach 41 degrees Celsius by the end of the week.
As a result, authorities have issued widespread warnings to the public and implemented additional precautionary measures.
