In France, 40 people drowned while trying to escape from the heat wave.

In France, 40 people have drowned over the past few days while swimming in the wrong places, fleeing the extreme heat that has gripped most of Europe. This was reported by the Reuters news agency on June 23.

Speaking on the eve of an emergency meeting on the heat wave, French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecorny said that 40 people had drowned as a result of the heat wave since June 18.

The current heat wave is caused by a weather phenomenon known as the "omega block" because it is shaped like a Greek letter, with a bulge of hot air in the middle and colder air on the sides. Meteorologists claim that this system creates a so-called heat dome, trapping hot air over western and central Europe and allowing temperatures to rise rapidly.

According to the French meteorological service, most of the country is at the epicenter of the weather anomaly. On June 23, temperatures will reach 40 degrees Celsius, and in some areas in the west of the country — up to + 43 degrees.

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Bloomberg reported on June 16 that an abnormal heat wave in France would lead to "tropical nights" and more frequent use of air conditioners, which would cause electricity prices to rise. It was noted that due to the scorching heat, Electricité de France SA may limit electricity generation at nuclear power plants, including Saint-Alban.