Heatwave kills about 20 in France as Europe records high temperatures

French authorities said about 20 people drowned over the weekend while swimming in unsupervised areas to escape a heatwave affecting France and other parts of Europe. Sports Minister Marina Ferrari told France Inter radio that swimming in unauthorized areas during a heatwave is not something to take lightly.

Forecasters said temperatures in much of the country would reach about 40 degrees Celsius on Tuesday. Local authorities said the heatwave was the most likely reason for the deaths of two children aged two and four who were found unconscious in a car outside their home in Carpentras in southeastern France.

Three more people aged 80 to 95 died in the Bordeaux region from heat-related health issues, local official Sophie Brocas told France TV.

Record temperatures and alerts The heatwave smashed temperature records in multiple cities, including Bordeaux and Poitiers, and strained power grids and public services. The national weather service placed 54 areas of France under a red heatwave alert while schools closed early or adjusted timetables to protect students.

Britain’s Met Office warned on Monday that a four-day heatwave could push temperatures above 39C in parts of the country, easily breaking the June record of 35.6C set in 1957 and 1976. Forecasters said temperatures would run 5-10C above normal. Spain also saw extreme heat.

San Sebastian in the traditionally cooler north was set to reach 40C, more than double the city’s historic average for June 22, according to the Reuters Climate Monitor. The monitor showed Europe as the continent furthest from its historic norm on Monday.