New extreme heat hits France

 

TT

 

Published 08:22

 

People in Paris are cooling off on Friday. Authorities have issued a red heat warning for the French capital. Photo: Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP/TT

In France, temperatures will again reach over 35 degrees on Saturday.

At the same time, the number of drowning accidents continues to increase in the wake of the extreme heat.

Météo France has again issued a red weather warning – the highest level – for just over a third of the country. Events are being cancelled in many places, including the popular Bal des pompiers festival in Paris.

The extreme heat has also had consequences in terms of the number of fatal drowning incidents. Since June 19, 131 people have died, which is an increase of 20 percent compared to the same period last year.

The forest fire season has also started unusually early. Around 25,000 hectares have been burned so far this year in over 8,000 different fires.

“We are experiencing an exceptionally intense start to the forest fire season,” said Civil Defense Minister Julien Marion at a press conference on Friday.