40 drown in France as record heatwave triggers hottest night in nearly 80 years

France recorded its hottest night since national weather records began in 1947, as an intense heatwave continued to grip the country, prompting red alerts across dozens of regions and contributing to nearly 40 drowning deaths in less than a week.

According to Meteo-France, the national nighttime heat indicator reached 21.6°C between Monday and Tuesday, making it the warmest night recorded in the country since meteorological records began nearly 80 years ago.

The French meteorological agency placed 54 departments under red heatwave alert, the highest warning level, while another 35 departments remained under orange alert as temperatures continued to soar.

France is expected to experience exceptionally high temperatures until at least Thursday, with forecasters warning that the country's average temperature for June could surpass previous records.

The national average temperature reached 29.2°C on Monday afternoon, just below the all-time June record of 29.4°C, and could climb to 30°C by midweek, according to Meteo-France.

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said around 40 people have drowned across France since June 18, most of them young people, as residents sought relief from the extreme heat in rivers, lakes and coastal waters.

The government has activated an interministerial crisis unit to coordinate the national response to the heatwave and its impacts.

The extreme weather has also disrupted education across the country. French Education Minister Edouard Geffray said 1,352 schools and middle schools were closed, while 4,042 educational institutions implemented special measures to protect students and staff from the heat.

Meanwhile, neighbouring Poland is preparing for its own heatwave, with temperatures forecast to reach 39°C to 40°C in parts of Lower Silesia later this week.

According to Poland's Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW), the hottest conditions are expected on June 28 and 29, with temperatures around 36°C forecast for central Poland and the Baltic coast.

Health authorities across Europe have warned that prolonged exposure to extreme heat poses serious risks, particularly for the elderly, children and people with chronic medical conditions.