France shuts nuclear reactor as Europe faces deadly heatwave

Europe is enduring a severe heatwave, with record-breaking temperatures causing deaths, transport disruptions, and emergency measures across multiple countries. In France, authorities reported at least 20 drowning deaths since the weekend, including two children found dead in a hot car in Carpentras. Three elderly people also died in the Bordeaux region due to heat-related health issues. The French government issued red heat alerts for 54 departments, and schools, trains, and sporting events were impacted. Meanwhile, France shut down a nuclear reactor near Toulouse because cooling water from a nearby river exceeded safe temperature limits. In the UK, the Met Office issued a rare red warning for extreme heat, with temperatures expected to reach 40°C in central and southern England. Germany and Spain also reported fatal swimming accidents linked to the heatwave. Scientists attribute the extreme weather to human-driven climate change, warning that such events will become more frequent and intense. The World Meteorological Organization noted that Europe is warming at more than double the global rate.