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BBC Europe • June 23, 2026 10:53

Drowning deaths soar in France as Europe buckles in peak of heatwave

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Forty people have drowned in heatwave-related deaths in France since last Thursday, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu says.

Story Timeline

Wed 09:55 - France 24

Paris's largest outside swimming pool opens early ahead of massive heatwave

Wed 13:16 - France 24

Iconic Paris canal opens to swimmers as residents seek ways to cope with heatwave

Wed 14:59 - BBC Europe

Record-breaking heatwave develops across Europe

Wed 16:21 - NYT Europe

Western Europe Braces For Another Round of Heat

Thu 12:17 - Sky News (UK)

Amber heat alert issued as new heatwave nears

Thu 12:33 - France 24

Keeping cool: How French cities are adapting to extreme heat

Thu 14:02 - France 24

French school forced to adapt to early heatwave driven by climate change

Thu 16:57 - The Bulletin (BE)

Swimming on the roof: Open air pool finally on the horizon for Brussels

Fri 08:58 - Euronews

Farms, schools, rail and health services under strain as heatwave grips France

Fri 10:31 - BBC Headlines

Amber Extreme Heat warning issued by Met Office as 35C heatwave approaches

Fri 11:34 - DW All

Germany news: Heat alerts in effect for millions

Fri 11:34 - DW Top

Germany news: Heat alerts in effect for millions

Fri 13:25 - Euronews

Extreme heat in Europe: Which countries face the biggest costs?

Fri 15:15 - France 24

New timetables, longer holidays: How can French schools adapt to heatwaves?

Fri 16:23 - DW All

What to expect from the strongest El Nino in over a century

Fri 16:23 - DW Top

What to expect from the strongest El Nino in over a century

Fri 16:26 - Euronews

Heatwave nears 40C in France, forcing tourists to change routines

Sun 11:07 - Euronews

Summer solstice heatwave grips much of Europe as France restricts alcohol consumption

Mon 12:49 - The Bulletin (BE)

Heatwave causing major stress to young birds, warns wildlife centre

Mon 13:09 - France 24

French government holds crisis meeting over sweltering heatwave

Mon 13:44 - Euronews

School closures, alcohol bans and slow trains: How Europe’s heatwave is shutting down daily life

Mon 15:44 - DW All

Europe sizzles under heatwave with little relief in sight

Mon 15:44 - DW Top

Europe sizzles under heatwave with little relief in sight

Mon 15:44 - DW All

Europe sizzles under heat wave with little relief in sight

Mon 15:44 - DW Top

Europe sizzles under heat wave with little relief in sight

Tue 05:00 - Euronews

Europe’s heatwave could trigger blackouts. Which countries are most exposed?

Tue 08:35 - Al Jazeera English

About 20 drown in France trying to escape heatwave sweeping much of Europe

Tue 09:52 - France 24

France faces historically hot temperatures as heatwave carries on

Tue 10:26 - BBC Headlines

Around 29,000 lightning strikes light up sky across southern England

Tue 10:53 - BBC Europe

Drowning deaths soar in France as Europe buckles in peak of heatwave

Different Perspectives

Al Jazeera English

1 article

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08:35

About 20 drown in France trying to escape heatwave sweeping much of Europe

France struggles with extreme heat and power grid challenges as temperature records also smashed in parts of UK, Spain.

BBC Europe

1 article

▼

14:59

Record-breaking heatwave develops across Europe

An intense heatwave is building across the continent, with Paris possibly seeing 40C by Sunday. Simon King reports.

BBC Headlines

2 articles

▼

10:26

Around 29,000 lightning strikes light up sky across southern England

Thunderstorms caused flash flooding and travel disruption across parts of England, with more extreme heat expected on Tuesday.

10:31

Amber Extreme Heat warning issued by Met Office as 35C heatwave approaches

Temperatures are expected to peak in the mid-30s Celsius on Monday and Tuesday with impacts on health and a risk of disruption to travel.

DW All

4 articles

▼

15:44

Europe sizzles under heatwave with little relief in sight

Germany, France, the UK and other European countries are witnessing scorching temperatures with it likely not cooling down until the weekend or next week. DW has the latest.

15:44

Europe sizzles under heat wave with little relief in sight

Germany, France, the UK and other European countries are experiencing extreme heat, with cooler weather not expected until the weekend. Several deaths were reported in France, including two children. DW …

16:23

What to expect from the strongest El Nino in over a century

Warnings of a mighty El Nino weather pattern this year could bring drought, flooding and extreme heat. Can we prepare for the worst of it?

11:34

Germany news: Heat alerts in effect for millions

Germany is bracing for a mix of high temperatures and thunderstorms on Friday. Repairs on the Bonn North Bridge will take another two years. DW has the latest.

DW Top

4 articles

▼

15:44

Europe sizzles under heatwave with little relief in sight

Germany, France, the UK and other European countries are witnessing scorching temperatures with it likely not cooling down until the weekend or next week. DW has the latest.

15:44

Europe sizzles under heat wave with little relief in sight

Germany, France, the UK and other European countries are experiencing extreme heat, with cooler weather not expected until the weekend. Several deaths were reported in France, including two children. DW …

16:23

What to expect from the strongest El Nino in over a century

Warnings of a mighty El Nino weather pattern this year could bring drought, flooding and extreme heat. Can we prepare for the worst of it?

11:34

Germany news: Heat alerts in effect for millions

Germany is bracing for a mix of high temperatures and thunderstorms on Friday. Repairs on the Bonn North Bridge will take another two years. DW has the latest.

Euronews

6 articles

▼

05:00

Europe’s heatwave could trigger blackouts. Which countries are most exposed?

“Record-shattering temperatures are feeding demand for air conditioning and driving surges in demand for electricity.”

13:44

School closures, alcohol bans and slow trains: How Europe’s heatwave is shutting down daily life

Temperatures are expected to surge into the high-30s in many places as Europe faces its second heatwave in the space of a month.

11:07

Summer solstice heatwave grips much of Europe as France restricts alcohol consumption

Sunday is the summer solstice, meaning the sun is at its strongest and UV levels will be high across the continent.

16:26

Heatwave nears 40C in France, forcing tourists to change routines

France is enduring a widespread heatwave, with temperatures nearing 40C in parts of the country and forcing tourists and residents to change their routines.

13:25

Extreme heat in Europe: Which countries face the biggest costs?

France, Spain and Italy are among the European economies most exposed to the growing economic costs of extreme heat, which could reduce output by as much as 7% in some …

08:58

Farms, schools, rail and health services under strain as heatwave grips France

With temperatures set to soar as high as 40°C in the coming days, many workers are already changing their routines to adapt to the imminent challenges. In Bordeaux’s vineyards, the …

France 24

7 articles

▼

09:52

France faces historically hot temperatures as heatwave carries on

Millions of people across France woke up drenched in sweat on June 23 after another night of scorching heat, with most of the population exposed to extreme and exceptional temperatures. …

13:09

French government holds crisis meeting over sweltering heatwave

France is set to experience the hottest day yet in its latest heatwave after a sweltering night, with a peak of 43C expected in the southwest. Forecasters warn the extreme …

15:15

New timetables, longer holidays: How can French schools adapt to heatwaves?

The start of a new heatwave in France has prompted multiple schools to announce changes to their opening hours from Thursday onwards. As climate change makes high temperatures an annual …

14:02

French school forced to adapt to early heatwave driven by climate change

France has entered a heatwave, as the mercury climbs into the high thirties across parts of the country - up to ten degrees higher than normal for the time of …

12:33

Keeping cool: How French cities are adapting to extreme heat

If you've spent any time in France recently, you'll have noticed it has got warmer, especially in French cities. How is climate change impacting France? Why do cities suffer more …

13:16

Iconic Paris canal opens to swimmers as residents seek ways to cope with heatwave

As France is bracing for another heatwave, Paris is allowing swimming in one of its canals so residents could cope with the heat. It will be the second spell of …

09:55

Paris's largest outside swimming pool opens early ahead of massive heatwave

France is bracing for another heatwave this week after enduring its hottest spring on record. In Paris, a city not made to withstand heatwaves, the urgent demand for a place …

NYT Europe

1 article

▼

16:21

Western Europe Braces For Another Round of Heat

After an early heat wave in May, travelers and residents in France, Germany, Italy and other countries are again looking for respite.

Sky News (UK)

1 article

▼

12:17

Amber heat alert issued as new heatwave nears

An amber heat health alert has been issued for parts of England from this afternoon, the UK Health Security Agency has said.

The Bulletin (BE)

2 articles

▼

12:49

Heatwave causing major stress to young birds, warns wildlife centre

As the heatwave persists in Belgium, the country’s wildlife is also struggling with protracted high temperatures. Young birds are particularly at risk, according to CREAVES wildlife rehabilitation centre near Namur. …

16:57

Swimming on the roof: Open air pool finally on the horizon for Brussels

As the capital braces itself for a heatwave this weekend, there is a glimmer of good news on the open air swimming pool front. The ambitious project for an outdoor …