France has been forced to shut down a nuclear reactor as a brutal European heatwave pushes temperatures towards a staggering 46C and leaves a trail of deaths, blackouts fears and transport disruption across the continent.
Operators at the Golfech nuclear power station near Toulouse took one of the plant’s reactors offline after water temperatures in the Garonne River rose above safe operating limits.
The reactor relies on the river to keep its cooling systems functioning, but the intense heat has left the water too warm for normal operations.
The extraordinary move comes as a vast “heat dome” stretching from North Africa grips much of Europe, with forecasters warning some regions could experience the most extreme temperatures in living memory.
The searing conditions have already proved deadly.
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said 40 people have drowned since June 18 while attempting to cool off in rivers, lakes and coastal waters during the scorching weather.
Among the victims was a 13-year-old girl who died over the weekend.
The French government is now scrambling to respond to the escalating crisis, with ministers holding emergency meetings as temperatures continue to climb.
In one particularly tragic case, a mother in the southern town of Carpentras found her two children, aged just two and four, unconscious inside the family vehicle outside their home.
Prosecutors have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
“The causes of death are yet to be determined, but the heatwave is the leading line of inquiry,” prosecutor Helene Mourges said.
Elsewhere, three elderly residents in the Gironde region also died after temperatures surged to dangerous levels.
The extreme weather is causing disruption far beyond France.
Spain has placed almost the entire country under heat alerts, with temperatures forecast to hit 40C in several regions.
Italy has issued its highest warning level for major cities including Rome, Milan and Florence, while Belgium is preparing for what meteorologists fear could be the hottest temperatures ever recorded in the country.
Transport networks are already showing signs of strain.
Belgium’s rail operator has cancelled some services amid fears the intense heat could damage infrastructure and trigger widespread delays.
In Britain, passengers have been warned to expect disruption as temperatures climb sharply over the coming days.
The warning comes after southern England was battered by violent thunderstorms overnight, with almost 30,000 lightning strikes recorded as torrential rain caused flash flooding, power cuts and travel chaos.
Now forecasters say the storms will be replaced by potentially record-breaking heat.
The Met Office has issued its highest-level heat alert for large parts of central and southern England on Wednesday and Thursday.
Temperatures could reach 40C in some areas, putting Britain on course to challenge all-time June records.
Liz Bentley, chief executive of the Royal Meteorological Society, warned that the country is facing an exceptionally dangerous period of heat.
“The coming week will bring an unprecedented heatwave with temperatures likely to reach 38-39C,” she said.
With Europe already experiencing deadly consequences, authorities are urging people to take precautions, stay hydrated and avoid unnecessary travel during the hottest parts of the day.
For millions across the continent, the message is increasingly clear: this is no ordinary summer heatwave.
It is a test of how far Europe’s infrastructure, public services and communities can cope when temperatures climb into previously unthinkable territory.
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