Europe Swelters: Record Heat Wave Sparks Power Outage in France

A severe heat wave is gripping Europe, causing widespread disruptions and a major power outage in western France. Approximately 68,000 homes were left without electricity after a transformer incident in the town of Ergué-Gabéric. The outage, which began on Tuesday evening, is expected to be fully restored by the end of Wednesday, with priority given to healthcare facilities and critical sites. French utility EDF reported a reduction in nuclear output nationwide due to high temperatures limiting access to cooling water. This development comes as France experienced its hottest day on record, with temperatures reaching 44.3 degrees Celsius in southwestern France. The heat wave has also led to the closure of over 1,000 schools in the UK and prompted red weather warnings in several countries, including Spain, Italy, and Germany. At least 40 people have drowned in France while seeking relief from the heat, highlighting the dangers of this extreme weather event. As Europe struggles to cope with the heat, scientists warn that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of such events, with the continent warming at twice the global average since the 1980s. The ongoing heat wave is the second 'heat dome' to affect Europe in just two months, disrupting daily routines and posing significant health risks to the population.