France heatwave claims seven lives, five of them drownings

A severe heatwave across western France has resulted in seven fatalities, according to government spokesperson Maud Bregeon. At least five of the deaths were drownings, with two victims in Gironde, one each in Marne, Seine‑et‑Marne and Maine‑et‑Loire. The remaining two deaths occurred during sports activities in Paris and the Lyon metropolitan area.

The extreme temperatures, which set a May record, have placed eight western departments under orange‑level heat‑wave warnings – the first such alert for the month. Crowded, unsupervised beaches and high indoor temperatures have contributed to the tragic outcomes.

Authorities are monitoring the situation and will provide a full accounting of the deaths once the heat episode ends.