France sizzles in late summer heatwave / Photo: © AFP
-
Trapped seafarers traumatised by Gulf fighting: charities
-
European minnows bid to challenge social media giants
-
Red-hot Knicks open 3-0 playoff lead against Sixers
-
At 100th major, Aussie Scott sees best as yet to come
-
Scheffler and McIlroy fancied for PGA Championship title
-
Acting US attorney general pursues Trump grievances at Justice Dept
-
Spirit exit likely to lead to higher US airfares, experts say
-
World Cup to hold trio of star-studded opening ceremonies
-
Defending champ Jeeno grabs three-shot lead at windy Mizuho Americas Open
-
McIlroy says PGA should be open to returns from LIV Golf
-
Im leads Fleetwood by one at Quail Hollow
-
Peru presidential hopeful says electoral 'coup' underway
-
Mexico to cut school year short ahead of World Cup
-
Pressure builds on Riera as Frankfurt lose at Dortmund
-
Lens secure Champions League spot and send Nantes down
-
Dortmund down Frankfurt to push Riera close to the edge
-
Costa Rica's new leader vows 'firm land' against drug gangs
-
Messi says Argentina up against 'other favorites' in World Cup repeat bid
-
Global stocks diverge, oil rises as fresh US-Iran clashes hit peace hopes
-
Ailing Djokovic falls to early Italian Open exit ahead of Roland Garros
-
Costa Rica leader sworn in with tough-on-crime agenda
-
UK PM Starmer vows to fight on after local polls drubbing
-
Formula One engines to change again in 2027
-
Djokovic falls in Italian Open second round to qualifier Prizmic
-
US fire on Iran tankers sparks reprisals as deal hangs in balance
-
NFL reaches seven-year deal with referees
-
Real Madrid fine Tchouameni and Valverde 500,000 euros over bust-up
-
Hantavirus scare revives Covid-era conspiracy theories
-
Report revives speculation China Eastern crash was deliberate
-
Allen ton powers Kolkata to fourth win in a row in IPL
-
Zarco dominates Le Mans qualifying as Marquez struggles
-
'Worst whistle' - Lakers coach blasts refs over LeBron treatment
-
French couple from virus-hit ship describe voyage as 'unlikely adventure'
-
Van der Breggen soars into women's Vuelta lead with stage six win
-
WHO says hantavirus risk low as countries prep repatriation flights
-
Stocks diverge, oil rises as fresh US-Iran clashes hit peace hopes
-
Zverev and Swiatek move into Italian Open third round
-
Celtic driven by fear of failure in Hearts chase, says O'Neill
-
Selling factories to Chinese partners: risky road for European carmakers
-
Rubio urges Europeans to share the Iran burden
-
France's Magnier sprints to victory in crash-hit Giro opener
-
Is there anybody out there? Pentagon releases secret UFO files
-
US job growth beats expectations but consumer confidence at all-time low
-
US fires on Iran tankers as talks hang in balance
-
German sports car maker Porsche to cut 500 jobs
-
Nuno not focused on own future during West Ham relegation fight
-
US job growth consolidates gains, beating expectations in April
-
Rising fuel prices strand hundreds of Indonesian fishermen
-
US expecting Iran response on deal despite naval clash
-
Arteta calls for Arsenal focus on 'huge' West Ham clash
France sizzles in late summer heatwave
Tens of millions of people in France sweated through a late summer heatwave on Monday, with record temperatures expected in the wine-growing Rhone valley region and a forest fire also blazing in the southeast.
Temperatures are expected to peak on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the most intense heat in the southern parts of the country where the mercury is already pushing past 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).
Health authorities have placed 50 out of 96 departments in mainland France in the second-highest heat warning level, with some areas expected to be placed in the maximum red category in the coming days.
"Some records could be broken, notably on Tuesday in the Rhone valley with 40-42C expected," national weather service Meteo France said.
The heatwave is "intense and long-lasting" and "particularly late in the season," it added.
After a suffocating summer of record temperatures and forest fires in 2022, France has for the most part experienced a typical holiday period this year, escaping the intense heatwave that scorched southern Europe in July.
The current high temperatures are the hottest of the season, Meteo France said.
Around 260 firefighters are currently battling a fire near the village of Chanousse in southeast France, according to the Association for the Prevention and Reporting of Forest Fires.
It has consumed around 100 hectares (nearly 250 acres) of forest.
T.Bondarenko--BTB
