Latest developments in Europe's heatwave

Paris (France) (AFP) – Here are the latest developments in Europe’s heatwave.

Scientists have shown that recurring heatwaves are a clear marker of global warming, and warn they are set to become more frequent, longer and more intense.

Eiffel Tower, Louvre close early

In Paris the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, two of the most visited tourist attractions in the world, announced earlier closing times because of the heatwave.

The Eiffel Tower’s operator said it was closing on Tuesday at 4:00 pm – more than eight hours earlier than the regular closing time – and “very likely” for Wednesday as well.

The Louvre’s management said it was shortening its hours from Wednesday to Saturday, explaining that the heat made “working conditions difficult”.

Another usually crowded French landmark, the spectacular Mont Saint Michel island in Normandy, urged visitors to “put off your visit during the red alert”.

Warnings for Poland, Croatia, Hungary

Poland’s weather service issued high-level heat warnings for the western part of the country from Thursday to Saturday, forecasting temperatures could break the record of 40.2C set in 1921.

Croatia’s popular Adriatic coast was also put under red alert for Friday and Saturday.

Hungary, already under a second-level heat alert, said it was raising that to the maximum level from June 27 to June 30 as temperatures continued to rise.

France closes 1,800 schools

France’s government said that 1,800 schools were closed because of the heat on Tuesday, and another 8,000 shortened their hours to send pupils home early.

Red Cross alarm

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) warned the heat could quickly become a matter of life and death for the most vulnerable.

“The coming days pose serious health risks,” Mary Friel, the IFRC’s senior climate policy officer, told a press conference in Geneva. “For thousands of people across Europe, extreme temperatures, without action, can quickly become a matter of life and death.”

40 drowned in France

Forty people – many of them youths – have drowned since June 18 as a severe heatwave grips France, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said, calling it a “tragic scourge”.

Almost all Spain on warning

Nearly all of Spain was under a heat alert, with parts of the south and north of the country put on the highest warning level.

National weather agency AEMET issued red alerts – a warning for “extraordinary danger” – for areas around the southern city of Cordoba, the northern city of Bilbao and parts of the northern region of Cantabria.

France’s hottest night

France experienced its hottest night from Monday to Tuesday since measurements began in 1947, the national weather agency said.

The national temperature indicator – an average of readings from 30 stations across France – reached 21.6C, according to preliminary figures taken Tuesday morning. The previous record was 21.4C, set on July 25, 2019.

Italy on red alert

Italy’s health ministry declared a red heatwave alert in 15 cities including Milan and Rome on Tuesday and said the number would go up to 16 on Wednesday.

During a red alert – the highest level – the ministry advises people to eat light, stay indoors in the hottest parts of the day and sprinkle themselves with cool water.

Nuclear reactor turned off

A nuclear plant in southwestern France switched off a reactor because cooling water drawn from a nearby river had become too warm, a spokeswoman said.

The Golfech plant near Toulouse is cooled by the Garonne river but the water had warmed beyond the safe level of 28C, she told AFP.