Mercury rises toward 40 degrees Celsius in Europe

©Raphaël Cubertafon via Unsplash

Europe is currently under unseen high temperatures. Western Europe in particular is panting and sweating as temperatures smoothly climb toward 40 degrees Celsius and, unfortunately, the first victims of the heat are already to be mourned.

Météo France recorded as high as 37.1 degrees Celsius on Monday in Hossegor, in the southwestern department of Les Landes. Moreover, in western France, temperatures could rise above 30 degrees several times this week, with peaks heading toward 40 degrees. In fact, according to the weather service, Monday was "the hottest day in May in France since records began," causing a lot of people to seek coolness. Unfortunately, five swimmers have already drowned in the process. "We can confirm today that the deaths of seven people are directly or indirectly linked to the heat," government spokesperson Maud Bregeon told French television channel TF1 on Tuesday. She added that five victims drowned, including three teenagers.

In France, code orange for heat is in effect in 13 departments in the west of the country as of Wednesday. Temperatures could even reach 38 and 39 degrees in certain French regions. This was reported by Météo-France. The government is therefore calling on the French people to "be vigilant and take precautionary measures."

The United Kingdom also broke its historic temperature record for the month of May on Tuesday. A temperature of 35 degrees Celsius was recorded in London. This was reported by the Met Office (national weather service). Unfortunately, there too, there were casualties linked to the heat. Indeed, in the United Kingdom, four teenagers have drowned in various incidents since Sunday.

Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Slovenia also recorded particularly high temperatures this week.

©Raphaël Cubertafon via Unsplash - illustration image of a beach in France