Seven die in France from causes relating to heat wave
Record-Breaking Heat Wave Impacts France
PARIS, May 26 (Reuters) - Seven people have died in France directly or indirectly due to a heat wave, Junior Energy Minister Maud Bregeon said on Tuesday, which has become the hottest day in May recorded in French history, according to the national weather service.
National Heat Index and Temperature Records
• The national heat index, which measures the average temperature across the country, reached 24.8 degrees Celsius, Meteo France’s preliminary readings at 5 pm on Tuesday showed. This beat 24.6 degrees Celsius on Monday and thus marked the hottest day ever recorded in the month of May nationwide.
Fatalities and Safety Concerns
Details of Reported Deaths
• Five of the seven fatalities were people drowning in lakes, rivers or beaches, Bregeon said.
Government Response
• The government has ordered local authorities to take measures to protect people during sporting events, she said.
Regional Warnings and Ongoing Risks
Temperature Trends
• France has been experiencing higher-than-average temperatures since Saturday.
Brittany Under Orange Warning
• Most of Brittany has been under an orange level warning by weather service Meteo France, which expects temperatures to reach up to 36 degrees Celsius (96.8° Fahrenheit) on Tuesday afternoon.
Forecast for Coming Days
• The heat wave is expected to continue on Wednesday and Thursday, Meteo France said on its website.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Inti Landauro; additional reporting by Dominique Vidalon Editing by Jan Harvey and Bernadette Baum)
