Europe, June 22 (SANA) A major heatwave is sweeping across Europe, pushing temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius in several countries and prompting health alerts, school closures and emergency measures, officials said Monday.
In France, three people have died from heat-related complications, while around 2,700 schools have been closed or adjusted their schedules amid soaring temperatures.
French weather authorities, cited by Reuters, said temperatures in Bordeaux could exceed 42°C on Monday, with heatwave warnings issued across 49 additional regions.
Health Minister Stéphanie Rist told TF1 television that “we are expecting, at a minimum, several days of extreme heat,” warning that there is no clear timeline for when conditions will ease.
Local official Sophie Brocas said three elderly residents aged between 80 and 95 died in Bordeaux due to complications linked to the heatwave.
In Spain, the national weather agency issued a red alert for the Basque region, where temperatures in San Sebastián are forecast to reach 40°C—nearly double the seasonal average, according to Reuters climate data.
Agency spokesperson Rubén del Campo said temperatures were 5°C to 10°C above normal for this time of year, and more than 10°C higher in parts of northern Spain.
Spain’s Labour Ministry said it was monitoring compliance with rules allowing workers to reduce or adjust hours during extreme heat alerts, adding that employees may also be entitled to up to four days of paid leave if they cannot reach their workplace due to weather conditions.
Across Europe, temperatures remain well above seasonal norms, with an average daily high of 24°C—around 4.1°C above the 1961–1990 baseline, according to climate data. Other regions, including Asia and North America, are also recording above-average temperatures.
N.J/ABD
