Extreme heat has forced school closures and schedule changes across France while temperatures are likely to surpass historic highs soon
PARIS: (UrduPoint/Pakistan Point News- June 23rd, 2026) At least 18 people are dead in France after a severe heatwave sweeping across the country, the local authorities confirmed on Tuesday.
The two young children are also among those who died recently as they funconscious in a hot car, as record-breaking temperatures continue to grip large parts of the continent.
The authorities said extreme heat has forced school closures and schedule changes across France, while meteorologists in the United Kingdom warned that temperatures could soon surpass historic highs.
In southwestern France, Bordeaux recorded 41.9°C, surpassing its previous record set in August last year. In Poitiers, temperatures climbed to 41.2°C, breaking a record that had stood since 1947.
Further south in Spain, the northern city of San Sebastian — typically known for its mild climate — was expected to reach around 40°C, more than double its usual temperature for this time of year, according to climate monitoring data.
French authorities confirmed that two children, aged two and four, died after being discovered unconscious inside a parked car by their mother in the southern town of Carpentras. Emergency responders were unable to revive them.
In a separate incident, three elderly people aged between 80 and 95 died over the weekend in the Bordeaux region due to heat-related health complications, according to local officials.
French emergency services have also reported a rise in drowning incidents as people attempt to cool off in unsafe conditions. Authorities urged the public to swim only in supervised areas after 13 drowning deaths were recorded within two days.
Climatologists say the ongoing heatwave is linked to an “Omega block” weather pattern, which traps hot air over a region while blocking cooler air movements. Experts explained that the system is drawing in extremely warm air from North Africa and the Sahara, resulting in prolonged and intense heat conditions across Europe.
Scientists have also warned that climate change is significantly increasing the frequency and severity of heatwaves across the continent.
In the United Kingdom, the national weather service has forecast that temperatures could exceed 39°C in some areas, potentially breaking a June record that has stood since 1976. The country recently recorded its highest-ever May temperature earlier this year.
France is also expected to experience unusually high temperatures, with forecasts suggesting Paris could reach 38.4°C — among the highest June readings on record.
Spanish meteorological officials said temperatures across parts of the country are between 5°C and 10°C above seasonal averages, with even greater anomalies in some northern regions.
In Italy, authorities issued red heat alerts for 12 cities as the heatwave intensified across southern Europe.
The extreme conditions have also affected wildlife, with experts reporting increased distress among birds such as swifts, swallows, and sparrows. Animal welfare workers in Belgium said overheating on rooftops — where temperatures can reach up to 60°C — has led to a surge in rescued birds, as many abandon nests to survive.
Officials across Europe continue to urge residents to stay hydrated, avoid unnecessary outdoor activity, and take precautions as the heatwave is expected to persist in the coming days.
