Europe swelters in intense heatwave; France calls emergency crisis talks

Reuters—A powerful heatwave gripped much of Europe, pushing temperatures to dangerous levels and prompting French authorities to convene emergency crisis talks to coordinate a public health response. France, which suffered catastrophic heat-related deaths in 2003, has since developed protocols for heat emergencies, but the scale of this week's event strained those systems. Health officials across the continent urged the elderly and vulnerable to stay indoors, drink water, and avoid outdoor exertion during peak afternoon hours. Reuters and multiple international outlets confirmed the heatwave was affecting a broad swath of the continent simultaneously. Climate scientists linked the intensity and frequency of such European heatwaves to long-term atmospheric warming trends.

• Reuters — France convened emergency crisis talks to coordinate a government-wide public health response to the heat.
• France 24 — Authorities across Europe ramped up public warnings as the heatwave spread across the continent.
• The Straits Times — Europe swelters as heatwave prompts crisis talks in France
• Channel News Asia — Europe swelters as heatwave prompts crisis talks in France