As western Europe bakes under what scientists describe as a heat dome, or ‘atmospheric lid’, residents across the continent are grappling with extreme temperatures caused by climate breakdown.
France registered its hottest day on record as 40 people across the country were confirmed to have drowned while swimming in unsupervised areas over the last few days.
The UK broke its all-time temperature record for June, with the Met Office issuing its second ever red alert.
‘To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering,’ said Stephen Belcher, the Met Office’s chief scientist. ‘Events like this bring home the implications of climate change, with very high temperatures and humidity bringing significant health implications from heat stress, as well as impacts to a range of sectors such as transport, energy and water supply’
