Europe is experiencing an escalating heatwave, with at least 18 people reported dead in France due to heat-related incidents or health issues, according to official sources on Monday (June 22). One particularly tragic case that has gained widespread attention occurred in the southeast of the country where two young children aged 2 and 4 were found trapped inside a car parked outside their home and, despite rescue efforts, had succumbed to the extreme heat, shocking the society.
In the southeastern Vaucluse region of France, Carpentras prosecutors revealed that the two children left in the car were found unconscious by their mother. With the region currently under extreme heat conditions, the temperature inside the car was much higher than outside. The judiciary has launched an investigation into the incident.
At this time of tragedy, France is in the grip of a severe heatwave. Official data shows that among the 18 known casualties, there are also three elderly individuals aged between 80 and 95 from the Bordeaux region who succumbed to health issues arising from the high temperatures over the weekend.
The Civil Defense Department in France reported that from the 21st to the 22nd of the month, 13 people across the country had died from drowning, urging the public to swim only in places where lifeguards are present. Government data in France indicates that during the heatwave last year, the number of drowning deaths nationwide increased by a staggering 172% compared to usual.
In the Bordeaux wine region of southwestern France, the temperature reached a record high of 41.9 degrees Celsius on the 22nd, breaking previous local records; the central city of Poitiers recorded 41.2 degrees Celsius, surpassing the high temperature record set in 1947. In Paris, the temperature approached 38.4 degrees Celsius, potentially setting a new June record for the city.
The heatwave has also swept through countries such as Spain, the United Kingdom, and Italy. In the northern coastal city of San Sebastián in Spain, temperatures are expected to approach 40 degrees Celsius, significantly higher than the historical average of around 20 degrees Celsius for June 22 in that area.
Rubén del Campo, a spokesperson for the Spanish National Meteorological Agency (AEMET), stated that temperatures in most parts of the country are currently 5 to 10 degrees Celsius above the historical averages for this period, with some northern areas even experiencing temperature anomalies of up to 10 degrees Celsius.
The UK Met Office issued a warning that temperatures in certain parts of the UK could surpass 39 degrees Celsius in the coming days, well above the shared June high temperature record of 35.6 degrees Celsius set in 1957 and 1976. If the forecast holds true, the UK will once again break the monthly high temperature record. Just weeks ago, the UK had set its hottest May on record.
Italy, on the 22nd, issued red heatwave warnings for 12 cities including Rome and Milan. In the industrial hub of Turin in the north, the electricity grid is under extreme pressure due to increased power demand. The local utility company Iren stated that they have increased power generation capacity and arranged for staff to work overtime to cope with potential power outages.
Clair Barnes, a researcher on extreme weather and climate at Imperial College London, pointed out that this heatwave is a result of a specific atmospheric circulation pattern known as the “Omega Block.” This high-pressure system resembles the Greek letter Ω, with a concentration of hot air in the middle and cooler air on either side, continuously transporting hot air from the Sahara Desert in North Africa to Europe.
Barnes highlighted that this weather system moves slowly with weak winds, leading to prolonged high temperatures. She noted that climate change is exacerbating extreme weather events such as heatwaves and storms, causing temperatures to rise further and rainfall to become more intense.
According to a report released by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in April this year, Europe’s rate of warming has exceeded the global average by two times, making it one of the most significant regions affected by global warming.