France is enduring a severe heatwave, with temperatures above 40C, deaths under investigation and widespread disruption to schools and public services.

AP reported that France faced a week of punishing heat, with daytime highs above 40C and hot nights limiting recovery. It also reported deaths and widespread school closures or timetable changes as authorities escalated warnings.

Some early death figures need caution. Heat-related mortality can take days or weeks to establish, and drowning deaths during heatwaves may be linked to people seeking relief from high temperatures without being directly caused by heat illness.

Météo-France has issued high-level heat alerts across large parts of the country. Reports also indicate that more than 1,300 schools have closed or changed schedules, a sign that the event is affecting daily life as well as public health systems.

The wider climate context is clear: Europe is warming faster than the global average, and extreme heat is one of the most dangerous climate-related hazards for older people, children, outdoor workers and people with health conditions.