France hit 44.3 C, and 40 people drowned while seeking relief from the heat

France experienced one of its hottest days on record, with a town in the southwest reaching 44.3 C and 54 departments placed under the highest red alert. The French prime minister said 40 people had drowned since June 18, many of them young people entering unsupervised rivers, canals and other waters to cool down. Italy issued top-level warnings in multiple cities, parts of Spain could also reach 44 C, and railways, schools, power systems and tourist sites came under pressure.