Forty drown across France in heatwave and parts of Spain above 30C at night

Forty people have drowned in France while swimming in unsupervised areas since June 18, 2026, as the country experiences a record-breaking heatwave. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu stated on Tuesday that most of the victims are young people, referring to the drownings as a "tragic scourge." The heatwave is affecting much of Europe, with parts of Spain experiencing nighttime temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius. Fifteen Italian cities are currently under a red heat alert, indicating a severe risk to public health. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres described London as "cooking" due to the extreme temperatures. The ongoing heatwave has prompted widespread concern and emergency responses across the continent.