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| European heatwave: France hits record temperature of 45.1C | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| France has hit its highest recorded temperature - 45.1C (113.2F) - amid a heatwave in Europe that has claimed several lives. | |
| The new record was measured in the southern town of Villevieille. The previous record was 44.1C during a heatwave in 2003 that killed thousands. | |
| Health Minister Agnès Buzyn has said "everyone is at risk" from the high temperatures. | |
| France's weather service has issued an unprecedented red alert for four areas. | France's weather service has issued an unprecedented red alert for four areas. |
| Those are all in the south, but most of the country remains on orange alert, the second highest level. | Those are all in the south, but most of the country remains on orange alert, the second highest level. |
| Swathes of the continent are experiencing extreme heat. Germany, France, Poland and the Czech Republic have all recorded their highest-ever June temperatures. | Swathes of the continent are experiencing extreme heat. Germany, France, Poland and the Czech Republic have all recorded their highest-ever June temperatures. |
| In Spain firefighters are battling Catalonia's worst wildfires in 20 years. Eight provinces are on red alert while temperatures are expected to rise above 42C in many areas. | In Spain firefighters are battling Catalonia's worst wildfires in 20 years. Eight provinces are on red alert while temperatures are expected to rise above 42C in many areas. |
| The Italian ministry of health has reported emergency levels of heat in 16 cities. | The Italian ministry of health has reported emergency levels of heat in 16 cities. |
| First loss of life | First loss of life |
| Several people are believed to have lost their lives as a result of the extreme temperatures, including two who died from suspected heatstroke in Spain. | Several people are believed to have lost their lives as a result of the extreme temperatures, including two who died from suspected heatstroke in Spain. |
| One, a 17-year-old farm worker in Córdoba, went into convulsions after cooling down in the farm swimming pool, while an 80-year-old man died on a street in the northern city of Valladolid. | One, a 17-year-old farm worker in Córdoba, went into convulsions after cooling down in the farm swimming pool, while an 80-year-old man died on a street in the northern city of Valladolid. |
| In France Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said a drowning was taking place every day and warned that the heat was making people "take risks". | In France Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said a drowning was taking place every day and warned that the heat was making people "take risks". |
| A six-year-old Syrian child was also in a serious condition after being thrown into the air by the force of a water jet from a fire hydrant that had been opened by residents in Saint Denis, north of Paris. | |
| In the UK, police warned people of the dangers of cooling off in rivers and lakes after a 12-year-old girl drowned in the River Irwell in Greater Manchester. | In the UK, police warned people of the dangers of cooling off in rivers and lakes after a 12-year-old girl drowned in the River Irwell in Greater Manchester. |
| Why is it getting so hot? | Why is it getting so hot? |
| Meteorologists say hot air drawn in from northern Africa is responsible, caused by high pressure over central Europe and a storm stalling over the Atlantic. | Meteorologists say hot air drawn in from northern Africa is responsible, caused by high pressure over central Europe and a storm stalling over the Atlantic. |
| In southern France, the areas of Gard, Vaucluse, Hérault and Bouches-du-Rhône are expected to see temperatures between 42C and 45C on Friday. | In southern France, the areas of Gard, Vaucluse, Hérault and Bouches-du-Rhône are expected to see temperatures between 42C and 45C on Friday. |
| French authorities have stepped up restrictions on water use to combat the heatwave's effects, while 4,000 schools are now closed or have special measures in place to welcome pupils. | French authorities have stepped up restrictions on water use to combat the heatwave's effects, while 4,000 schools are now closed or have special measures in place to welcome pupils. |
| In a TV interview, Ms Buzyn said she was concerned about the increase in calls to emergency service numbers as a result of the heatwave. | |
| She called on members of the public to avoid "risky behaviour" like leaving children in cars or jogging outside in the middle of the day. | She called on members of the public to avoid "risky behaviour" like leaving children in cars or jogging outside in the middle of the day. |
| Is climate change to blame? | Is climate change to blame? |
| Linking a single event to global warming is complicated. | Linking a single event to global warming is complicated. |
| While extreme weather events like heatwaves occur naturally, experts say these will happen more often because of climate change. | While extreme weather events like heatwaves occur naturally, experts say these will happen more often because of climate change. |
| Records going back to the late 19th Century show that the average temperature of the Earth's surface has increased by about one degree since industrialisation. | Records going back to the late 19th Century show that the average temperature of the Earth's surface has increased by about one degree since industrialisation. |
| A climatology institute in Potsdam, Germany, says Europe's five hottest summers since 1500 have all been in the 21st Century. | A climatology institute in Potsdam, Germany, says Europe's five hottest summers since 1500 have all been in the 21st Century. |
| Scientists are concerned that rapid warming linked to use of fossil fuels has serious implications for the stability of the planet's climate. | Scientists are concerned that rapid warming linked to use of fossil fuels has serious implications for the stability of the planet's climate. |
| Have you been affected by the heatwave in Europe? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Have you been affected by the heatwave in Europe? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
| You can also contact us in the following ways: | You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below: | Or use the form below: |