France's scorching weekend heat leads to elderly deaths and spate of drownings

As temperatures soar across France, people have taken to swimming in rivers, lakes or canals, like here in the Canal Saint-Martin, in eastern Paris. Authorities warn not to swim in unauthorised areas. © Arnaud Finistre/AFP

The deaths of three elderly people in southwestern France have been linked to the heatwave hitting the country, while authorities have reported an increase in drownings, as people seek relief from the heat in rivers and lakes.

A woman and two men, aged 80 to 95, died on Sunday in their homes in the Bordeaux suburbs, most likely because of the extreme heat, the Gironde department’s prefect, Sophie Brocas, told France 3 local television.