France has implemented a ban on public drinking and restrictions on outdoor events due to a severe heat wave impacting Europe. Tourists and locals have been resorting to extreme methods to cool down, including jumping into canals and fountains.
Authorities in France have enforced alcohol restrictions in public areas and major gatherings as temperatures approach the triple-digit mark. Health experts caution that consuming alcohol in extreme heat heightens the risk of dehydration and other health hazards.
As reported by Reuters, precautions have been heightened in Paris with the heat wave overlapping with public celebrations like the Fête de la Musique. This has resulted in thousands of police and emergency personnel being stationed throughout the city. Additionally, Paris officials have opened a supervised swimming area in the Canal Saint-Martin’s Récollets basin during these hot periods.
“The public safety initiative comes as France endures red heat alerts, with parts of the country expecting temperatures above 104 degrees,” as stated by the Associated Press.
Images depict locals and tourists gathering around public fountains and stepping into shallow pools for relief. Crowds in Paris have thronged to the Canal Saint-Martin, engaging in activities such as diving from bridges and swimming in restricted areas, according to Euronews.
Officials are advising individuals to avoid outdoor activities during the hottest times of the day, maintain hydration, and monitor vulnerable neighbors. The Canal Saint-Martin’s Récollets basin remains open as a designated area for cooling off during extreme heat, staffed by lifeguards since June 17.
Outside these designated areas, officials warn that seeking relief can be hazardous. Various swimming-related drownings have been reported across Europe during this heat wave.
In England, four teenagers drowned in lakes and reservoirs recently, prompting a cautionary message from a grieving parent. French media revealed that four children drowned amid the heat wave. Moreover, a man drowned and three others went missing in the Rhine River in Germany.
The heat wave has disrupted travel and regular activities in Europe. In France, train services, concerts, and sports events have faced cancellations, with officials stressing the importance of hydration.
To assist visitors in Paris, misting stations have been set up at popular areas like the Eiffel Tower. In Rome, tourists used fountains to cool off, while attendees at Milan Fashion Week took cover under parasols.
According to the World Health Organization’s Europe office, more than 200,000 individuals across Europe have succumbed to heat-related causes over the past four years.