Europe is facing intense heat, breaking records for temperatures, including in the United Kingdom on Monday. This has prompted government warnings after deaths occurred at amateur sports events in France.
The French sports minister, Marina Ferrari, expressed condolences to the family of a runner who died on Sunday in a Paris event. According to Le Parisien, the 53-year-old man experienced a heart attack during the run in the capital’s 20th arrondissement, and efforts by firefighters to revive him were unsuccessful. Although it is not confirmed if the death was heat-related, Ferrari indicated a possible connection. On that day, temperatures in Paris reached 32°C (90°F).
“The events that occurred today (Sunday) during running races are a reminder that practicing sports in extreme heat requires absolute vigilance,” Ferrari posted on X. “My thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the runner who died in Paris, as well as with those treated by emergency services.” In Lyon, another fatality was reported. Local media Actu Lyon shared that a woman suffered heat stroke during a sports competition there, also on Sunday.
The national weather service, Meteo France, confirmed record-breaking temperatures for May, exceeding 30°C (86°F) in many locations and predicting the heat to persist into the week.
In the United Kingdom, the previous record for the hottest May temperature was broken on Monday. A heatwave was declared across several regions. People sought solace in beaches and parks, trying to find shade during the holiday as temperatures soared to 34.8°C (94.6°F) at Kew Gardens in southwest London, surpassing the previous record of 32.8°C (91.4°F) set in 1922 and matched in 1944.
The U.K. Health Security Agency issued its first amber health alert of the year. This warns of increased mortality risks, especially for the elderly, during peak heat times.
The frequency of severe weather events is rising as Earth’s warming trend intensifies. Experts highlight that these unprecedented and dangerous weather extremes occur at unusual times and places, increasing the risk to human safety.