More than half of France under red alerts as heatwave intensifies

The health minister warns many citizens "will suffer", with temperatures set to peak on Monday. More than half of France under red alerts as heatwave intensifies Parisians cool off in canal amid 'red alert' heatwave Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. A woman cools off under a mist sprayer in Bordeaux, France. A topless young man with brown hair wearing black shorts and trainers somersaults into the water at Canal St Martin. Forty-nine of France's 96 regions are under a red heat alert, as the country braces for sweltering temperatures due to an intensifying heatwave. Highs of more than 40C (104F) are expected across parts of western France on Monday, with the mercury expected to hit 43C in Bordeaux, according to weather forecaster Météo-France. Some 845 schools have been shut for the day, while a further 1,800 are allowing pupils to finish classes early, according to the ministry of education. Dozens of other regions are under an orange alert, with an estimated 63 million people in total affected across the country. The severe weather conditions follow a weekend in which the mercury hit 40C, prompting an alcohol ban at the annual Fête de la Musique, a national festival that sees large crowds celebrate on the streets of most cities. In the south-west Gironde region, local authorities on Sunday said three people - aged between 80 and 95 years - had died, partly due to the intense heat. Health Minister Stéphanie Rist told French public broadcaster TV1 Info on Monday that many "fellow citizens will suffer" during the hot weather, and called on people to keep a "close eye" on relatives and neighbours. While the hottest temperatures are expected on the western coast, highs are expected to hang around 36C to 40C across much of the rest of the country, Météo-France said. The forecaster warned that the heatwave will be "widespread, long-lasting and intense" - with temperatures not expected to drop until the end of the week. The country's national railway operator SNCF urged "vulnerable" people to avoid or postpone train travel this week, while in Paris, several train lines reduced their services on Monday due to the heat. Belgium's train operator also announced some peak hour trains would be cancelled for Monday and Tuesday. Record high temperatures are also expected across Europe, with Madrid forecast to hit 39C while in Italy, it's predicted to hit 37C in Rome. people under an umbrella because of the heat in paris with the Eiffel Tower in the background Half of France under red heat alert as alcohol banned at street music festival A woman cools herself with a handheld electric fan Record-breaking heatwave develops across Europe Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane look to be on lethal form in this World Cup. So how can you stop them in their tracks? Iraq manager Graham Arnold joked that he wants three goalkeepers to try and stop France's star attackers. France has issued red heatwave alerts for around half the country as temperatures soar to record levels. Heat health warnings extended across Wales with temperatures set to get "very hot", warns Met Office. Temperatures are forecast to peak on Monday, and authorities warn they could match historic highs. Rounds will start earlier across the West as councils seek to protect workers from the midday sun. Experts urge people to avoid going out at the hottest time of the day as temperatures soar. An amber heat-health alert for the South East has been issued by the UK Health Security Agency.