France reported seven heat-related deaths today as Western Europe is scorched by high temperatures, reports Anadolu.

“Unfortunately, what I can say today is that we have seven deaths directly or indirectly related to the heat,” government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon told broadcaster TF1.

She emphasized that five of the reported deaths are cases of drowning, as people are encouraged to cool off in the water. waters, rivers and lakes, while there have also been deaths related to extreme heat during sports competitions.

French broadcaster BFM TV reported an eighth death involving a person in a body of water in Bas-Rhin, but so far this case has not been included in the official death toll.

Meteo-France issued orange heatwave alerts for several departments as of late Monday and noted that temperatures in this afternoon will range mainly between 33-36 degrees Celsius. “Extraordinary temperatures for the end of May,” the meteorological service added.

Meanwhile, the early-season heat wave is expected to be accompanied by an episode of ozone pollution in the Paris region and the Rhône Valley, BFM TV added, citing French atmospheric monitoring body LCSQA.

Atmospheric ozone concentrations are expected to exceed a level that could cause respiratory or cardiovascular discomfort in people. France is not the only country affected, as several other western European countries have also experienced a heatwave since the weekend.

The UK also recorded its highest temperature for May on Monday as well as its highest daily minimum temperature for the month overnight, according to the Met Office.

Meanwhile, Spain’s weather service AEMET issued yellow alerts for several regions after temperatures are expected to fluctuate around 34–38 degrees Celsius. In Portugal, temperatures are also expected to rise to nearly 40 degrees Celsius, according to data from the weather service IPMA.

Source: prizrenpost