The government of France said seven people have reportedly died in connection with the recent heatwave affecting much of western Europe, including five people who drowned.
Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon said the deaths were directly or indirectly linked to the extreme heat, adding that the exact figures and causes would become clearer after the heatwave ends.
The heatwave, which has already brought record temperatures across France, was expected to become more intense on Tuesday. Authorities placed eight departments in western France under orange heat alert, marking the first such warning for the month of May.
Officials said the drowning incidents happened in different parts of the country, ranging from the southeastern city of Lyon to areas along the Atlantic coast.
High temperatures on Monday pushed many people toward beaches and coastal areas to cool down in the water, even though lifeguard services in many locations are not scheduled to begin until July.
A beach visitor in the southwestern city of Anglet said he remained extremely careful while visiting the beach with his young children because of dangerous sea currents and the lack of full supervision in some areas.
