France has shut down a nuclear reactor over fears that a 46C heatwave could result in a disaster.
A reactor at the Golfech nuclear facility near Toulouse was taken offline after water temperatures in the Garonne river rose above the safe operating limit of 28C, a spokeswoman confirmed.
The plant relies on the river for its cooling system, but the extreme heat sweeping across western and central Europe has made the water too warm for safe use.
A massive dome of hot air originating from the Sahara Desert is responsible for the hot weather, with meteorologists attributing the phenomenon to a powerful high-pressure system dubbed the “African anticyclone.”
This weather pattern has trapped scorching air over the region, pushing temperatures as high as 46C in some areas.
The crisis in France has claimed dozens of lives, with 40 people drowning while attempting to call off from the heat since June 18, according to Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, who noted the victims were “mainly among young people.”
A 13-year-old girl was among those who died over the weekend.
Mr Lecornu is holding an emergency meeting today to address the escalating situation.
In Carpentras yesterday, a mother discovered her two children, aged two and four, unconscious in the family vehicle outside their home.
Prosecutor Helene Mourges said: “The causes of death are yet to be determined, but the heatwave is the leading line of inquiry.”
Three elderly residents in Gironde also died due to the extreme temperatures the previous day.
Britain is bracing for an extraordinary weather whiplash, having endured nearly 30,000 lightning strikes overnight as violent storms swept across southern England, causing flash flooding, power outages and transport chaos.
Forecasters warn the storms will give way to potentially record-shattering heat as the continental heat dome extends westward.
The Met Office has issued its highest-level heat warning for central and southern England on Wednesday and Thursday, with temperatures possibly reaching 40C.
Liz Bentley, chief executive of the Royal Meteorological Society, predicted: “The coming week will bring an unprecedented heatwave with temperatures likely to reach 38-39C. The current June record is 35.6C.”
Spain has placed nearly the entire country under heat alerts, with the national weather agency Aemet declaring “extraordinary danger” warnings around Cordoba, Bilbao and parts of Cantabria, where temperatures could reach 40C.
Across Italy, 15 cities, including Rome, Milan and Florence, are on the highest alert level, with Latina expected to join them tomorrow.
Belgium is bracing for what forecasters describe as potentially the hottest temperatures ever recorded there.
This has prompted the national rail operator to cancel some rush-hour services to prevent breakdowns that could block tracks.
Transport networks across the continent are struggling, with Network Rail urging passengers to make only essential journeys on Wednesday and Thursday.
