France is on the frontline of an exceptional early summer heatwave, with authorities reporting seven deaths – including five drownings – as a “heat dome” is pushing temperatures far above seasonal norms across much of Europe.
The deaths were announced on Tuesday and come as beaches in southwest France filled earlier than usual, tennis fans sweltered at Roland-Garros in Paris and the government moved to step up preparations for a spell of heat that forecasters said could last at least until the end of the week.
