Europe heatwave kills dozens as France shatters temperature records; iconic landmarks close amid infrastructure strain.
Extreme heat has taken over Europe and more than 100 people have died because of the record temperature and infrastructure failure because of this climate emergency. The heat crisis in France is apparent as it set a record for highest temperature, since the start of meteorological records in 1947, reaching 29.8 degrees Celsius (85.6 °F) at the same time on Monday and Tuesday, and broke multiple reference points for temperature records of human suffering related to cooling failures in the infrastructure. France has also seen 40+ deaths from people swimming in unguarded locations trying to escape from the extreme heat. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu stated that the majority of heat-related fatalities were young adults, whom he referred to as a "tragic scourge." One of the weather stations in Les Herbiers (SW France) set a record 43 °C (109 °F) for the last heat wave in France at or near that temperature. In addition to the drowning, Europe heatwave fatalities are also being recorded throughout France.
Local governmental authorities reported finding a 2-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl unconscious in a vehicle outside their house in Carpentras, southern France, most probably due to heat-related exposure. In the Bordeaux area, three people over the age of 80 (between 80 and 95 years old) died due to a heat-related health condition. Sports Minister Marina Ferrari warned the public against swimming in dangerous places stating, "to swim in an unregulated area during a heat wave shouldn't be taken lightly" on France Inter radio.
The global warming heat wave has placed an enormous amount of strain on French systems and services. The French Meteorology Authority (Meteo France) placed 54 regions under a "red alert" (highest level) and many schools throughout France either closed earlier than usual or attended to their students inside during the heat to protect students from dangerous situations. France does not have enough air conditioning systems to provide safe indoor environments, leaving HUGE VULNERABILITIES for millions of people in France from cumulative heat build-up inside buildings. Major historic landmarks, including the Louvre museum, are closing early even before the end of the normal business day because they cannot accommodate the number of visitors onto the property after approximately 2:00 P.M. because of cumulative heat-related issues associated with increased visitor numbers and have to close 2 hours earlier than normal to comply with increasing numbers of visitors.
Business Honor views that France's heatwave crisis represents a critical infrastructure vulnerability requiring immediate governmental intervention strategies.
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