Large parts of Western Europe, where air-conditioning remains a relative rarity, are experiencing a deadly summer heat wave. Record-high temperatures have resulted in dozens of deaths, heat alerts, school closures and early closures of iconic landmarks.
On Wednesday, France’s national temperature indicator, an average of day and night temperatures across dozens of locations, hit 86°F (30°C), the highest since records began in 1947. It broke a record set just one day earlier. At least 48 people have died in drowning-related incidents in France as people try to escape the heat, according to authorities.
More than half of France remains under a red heat alert at least through Friday, when temperatures could reach a high of 104°F (40°C), according to France’s national meteorological service. Landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre are also closing early due to the extreme temperatures.
The U.K. also experienced its hottest day in June this week. The first record was set on Wednesday when temperatures reached 97°F (36.1°C), but that was broken on Thursday when they reached 97.5°F (36.4°C).
More than 1,200 schools have closed and public transportation has been disrupted due to the heat wave, as passengers are advised to avoid nonessential travel.
National forecasters are warning that temperatures could be even higher on Friday.
Spain also set June records, with Monday (82.5°F/28.08°C) and Tuesday (82.7°F/28.17°C) marking the hottest days since at least 1950.
The heat wave is forecast to shift east, as forecasters in Germany and the Czech Republic warn of sweltering conditions.
People refresh at a fountain in Rome.
(AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
People braving the heat in Rome, which on Wednesday reached 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit).
(AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
A Berliner cools off in the city center.
(Anadolu via Getty Images/Halil Sagirkaya)
A woman sprays water in the alley by her home in Leeds, England.
(OLI SCARFF via Getty Images)
Bathing in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris.
(AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Attendees for Pope Leo’s XIV weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican.
(AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Enjoying a mist sprayer in Bordeaux, France.
(ROMAIN PERROCHEAU/AFP via Getty Images))
A man takes shelter in the shade of a street board in Istanbul.
(AP/Francisco Seco)
Two girls attend an event marking the summer solstice in Bucharest, Romania.
(AP/Andreea Alexandru)
Sunbathing on the banks of the Canal Saint-Martin.
(Dimitar DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images)
