Drowning deaths have risen in France as Europe grapples with a heat wave.

A heat wave has killed 40 people in France since last Thursday, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said, as temperatures reached record highs in several major cities and the heat wave hit its peak in several European countries.

“Swimming in unregulated areas during a heat wave is not something to be taken lightly,” Sports and Youth Minister Marina Ferrari told French radio.

France has been hit hard by the heat wave, along with Spain and Italy.

France saw its hottest day in June on Monday and its hottest night on Monday night, with an average minimum of 21.6C.

Meanwhile, at Spain Temperatures are set to top 40C in some areas, with red alerts in southern Andalusia, northern Cantabria and the Basque Country, the third day of a national heatwave.

Spain is more exposed to climate change than any other European country. State weather service Amet said there were 10 recorded June temperatures in Spain between 2000 and 2025, and only two in the past 25 years.

And in ItalyA scarlet fever alert has been declared in 15 cities including Rome, Milan, Florence, Turin and Venice. The alert indicates conditions that may pose health risks not only to the elderly or the chronically ill, but even to healthy adults.

Too many people are trying to cool off in rivers and canals without considering the risks, says France’s sports minister.

Among the dead was a 13-year-old girl who had gone diving with her family in the Seine river at Fontaine-la-Port on Sunday evening, although she did not know how to swim.