France limits public drinking as severe heat spreads across Europe
France closed schools and curbed alcohol in red-alert areas as extreme heat strained events, travel and public health systems across Europe.
By Sofia Marchetti · World Affairs Correspondent
3 min read
France imposed emergency measures as a severe heat wave pushed temperatures to 40 C, or 104 F, in parts of the country and forced cancellations of trains, concerts and sports events, the Associated Press reported. The heat is also testing public safety systems across Europe, where officials have warned of drowning risks, wildfire danger and strain on vulnerable residents.
About one-third of France was under the country’s highest heat warning, known as a red alert, according to AP. Forecasters expected Monday to be hotter, adding pressure in a country where air conditioning is not common.
French authorities set up cooling measures at major tourist sites, including misting stations around the Eiffel Tower and other Paris venues, AP reported. In Marseille, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region distributed water bottles, hats and fans at Saint-Charles railway station, according to the caption information from AFP via Getty Images.
France targets alcohol and closes schools
The French government barred alcohol consumption in public in red-alert zones, AP reported. Officials also told organizers of Music Day events to restrict alcohol use so emergency crews and medical staff could focus on people most at risk.
France’s annual Music Day, held around the summer solstice, brought concern because it draws large crowds to concerts in village squares, clubs and rave venues, according to AP. Some performances were canceled as authorities tried to reduce heat exposure during the nationwide celebration.
The government ordered 845 schools to close Monday, AP reported. It also mobilized emergency services and military forces for stronger wildfire readiness and increased monitoring of water supplies for France’s nuclear reactors.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu called another government heat crisis meeting Sunday, according to AP. He directed ministers to prepare longer-term plans to adapt France to more frequent heat waves, including the use of air conditioning if needed.
Officials are especially concerned about people living on hot streets, nursing-home residents and older people isolated at home, AP reported. France’s 2003 heat wave killed about 15,000 older people, a disaster that reshaped the country’s approach to extreme heat.
Drownings reported as people seek water
French media reported that four children drowned Saturday as people sought relief from the heat, according to AP. Health authorities say summer drownings are a recurring problem that worsens during hot spells.
In Germany, one man drowned in the southwest and three other people were missing after swimming in the Rhine River, the German news agency dpa reported, according to AP. In Paris, crowds gathered at Canal Saint Martin to swim and jump from a bridge despite efforts by authorities to control the scene.
Heat alerts widen across Europe
Spain began summer with large areas on alert as temperatures were expected to stay near 40 C, including in the normally cooler interior of the Basque region, AP reported. Regional authorities suspended outdoor sports and cultural events, and the heat wave was expected to last at least through Wednesday.
Italy expanded its highest heat warnings to eight cities in the north and center of the country Sunday, according to AP. Temperatures there were mostly in the upper 30s Celsius, while a farm outside Milan used fans and sprinklers to cool cows and visitors to Milan Fashion Week used parasols and hand fans.
German meteorologists forecast temperatures up to 37 C on Monday and Tuesday and as high as 39 C on Wednesday, AP reported. The U.K. weather office issued an extreme heat warning for much of southern England and parts of Wales from Monday through Thursday, saying temperatures could reach 38 C; Britain’s June record is 35.6 C, set in 1976.
The World Health Organization’s Europe office said this month that more than 200,000 people in Europe died from heat-related causes over the past four years, with most deaths preventable, according to AP. The U.N. climate agency projects more heat records in the next five years, and AP reported that human-caused climate change is linked to more extreme weather.
This story draws on original reporting from Fortune.