More Than 40 Dead As Heat Wave Brings Scorching Temperatures to Europe
NEED TO KNOWOver 40 people have died across Europe as a heat wave brings temperatures of over 100 degrees Fahrenheit to several countriesPrime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said 40 people have drowned in France. . .
NEED TO KNOWOver 40 people have died across Europe as a heat wave brings temperatures of over 100 degrees Fahrenheit to several countriesPrime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said 40 people have drowned in France since June 18, and the German Lifesaving Association (DLRG) said six others died in Germany between June 19 and June 20The heat is expected to decrease in some areas this week, while others will see a peak on June 26More than 40 people reportedly have died in Europe as a heat wave triggers sweltering conditions across the region. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said mostly young people made up four dozen deaths in France, which have all occurred since June 18, according toReutersandAgence France-Presse(AFP). Among those who died are a 13-year-old who was swimming in River Seine at Fontaine-La Port on Sunday, June 21, and a young professional soccer player who was pulled from River Rhône in a park near Lyon, according tothe BBC. Several people reportedly have also drowned in Germany. The German Lifesaving Association (DLRG) said six fatalities occurred from Friday, June 19, to Saturday, June 20, including three people who were found dead in the Rhine near the southwestern town of Biblis. The deaths come as a severe heatwave impacts the region, reportedly bringing temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) and over amid heat alerts in multiple countries. "It's not something to be taken lightly, going swimming in unsupervised areas during a heat wave," Sports and Youth Minister Marina Ferrari told French radio. A woman pours water on a dog as temperatures in Spain top 40 degrees CelsiusCredit: Rocio Ruz/Europa Press via GettyBritain, Italy, Switzerland and Spain are also dealing with the heat, which has caused school closures and impacted transit, according to Reuters. The heat even caused a nuclear power plant in southwest France to shut down on Monday, June 22, because water from River Garonne used to cool its reactors was set to reach 23 degrees Celsius (82. 4 degrees Fahrenheit), according to the BBC. Two other deaths reportedly occurred in France after two kids, ages 2 and 4, were found in a hot car in the southern city of Carpentras. The heat is expected to continue this week, with temperatures at or exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in several spots, according to Reuters. France already recorded its hottest night on Monday, with a low temperature of 21. 6 degrees Celsius (70. 8 degrees Fahrenheit), according to the BBC. A tourist crouches to refill his water bottle while another bends over to wet his cap at a public water fountain in front of the historic Pantheon in Rome, Italy on June 22Credit: Claudia Chieppa/Anadolu via GettyNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Spanish forecasters said temperatures are expected to fall around the Iberian peninsula beginning Wednesday, June 24, but will peak in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium on Friday, June 26, according to Reuters and the BBC. Meanwhile, Lecornu said a new crisis meeting will be held on June 23 to address the ongoing situation in France, AFP reported. Read the original article onPeople