France heatwave tragedy: 20 people drown as residents seek relief from extreme heat

French authorities reported that around 20 people have drowned while swimming in unmonitored spaces to seek relief from a scorching heatwave sweeping across larger parts of Europe.

According to reports, the intense heatwave resulted in the deaths of two children aged two and four who were found unresponsive in a car outside their home in Carpentras in southern France. 

Given the severity of the situation, the national weather service placed 54 areas of France without passive cooling under a red heatwave alert to close schools immediately in order to safeguard students.

The forecast further suggests that temperature will remain above normal with northern areas experiencing the significant increases.

In line with Reuters Climate Monitor, Spain residents also experienced extreme heat. Notably, San Sebastian in the conventional cooler, more than twice the city’s historic average for June 22.

The extreme heat was triggered by an “Omega block” weather pattern, as the system is immobilized over the continent and trapped a bulge of hot air in space while cooler air sits on another level.

Clair Barnes, a research associate, at Imperial College in London said: “It’s drawing warm air up from North Africa, from the Sahara, and that’s why we have this really intense ⁠heat. It’s very slow moving, and it means there’s kind of no wind, no breeze for respite.”

Furthermore, Barnes stated that heatwaves and storms are being intensified by climate change pushing soaring temperatures higher and, ultimately causing more rainfall.