A powerful heatwave sweeping across Europe has claimed at least three lives in France and forced thousands of schools to shut down or adjust schedules as temperatures continue to climb to dangerous levels.
French authorities confirmed that three elderly residents, aged between 80 and 95, died over the weekend in the Bordeaux region due to heat-related health complications. The deaths come as large parts of the country endure extreme temperatures, with forecasts predicting highs above 42 degrees Celsius (107.6 degrees Fahrenheit) in southwestern France.
France’s national weather agency, Meteo France, placed 49 administrative regions under its highest-level red heatwave alert, warning residents of prolonged and intense heat. French Health Minister Stéphanie Rist said the country is facing several more days of exceptionally hot conditions, with no immediate relief in sight.
The scorching temperatures have disrupted daily life across France, with nearly 2,700 schools either closing temporarily or modifying their operating hours to protect students and staff from the extreme weather.
Spain is also battling severe heat, with the national weather agency Aemet issuing a red alert for the Basque Country in the north, where temperatures in San Sebastián were expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius. The figure is more than double the city’s historical average for June 22 and exceeds temperatures forecast for traditionally hotter southern cities such as Seville and Córdoba.
Meteorologists reported that parts of Spain are experiencing temperatures between five and ten degrees above seasonal norms, while some northern regions are seeing even greater anomalies. Overnight temperatures have provided little relief, with some areas failing to cool below 25 degrees Celsius and others remaining near 30 degrees Celsius.
Climate monitoring data showed Europe as the continent experiencing the greatest temperature deviation from historical averages, with average highs running more than four degrees Celsius above the norm recorded between 1961 and 1990.
The heatwave is also affecting wildlife across northern Europe. Animal rescue centers have reported a surge in birds suffering from heat stress, particularly species that nest under rooftops where temperatures can exceed 50 to 60 degrees Celsius. Wildlife shelters in Belgium have taken in hundreds of animals in recent days as the extreme conditions continue.
Meanwhile, Spain’s Labour Ministry announced it is monitoring employers to ensure compliance with worker protection laws during the heat emergency. Employees are entitled to adjust working hours or take paid leave when severe weather conditions make travel or outdoor work unsafe.
As Europe faces another summer marked by record-breaking temperatures, authorities are urging residents to stay hydrated, avoid unnecessary outdoor activity, and take precautions to protect vulnerable populations from heat-related illnesses.
