Germany recorded 99 drowning deaths in June, the highest toll in over 20 years, with most victims being young men, authorities said. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing The Guardian.
According to the German Lifeguarding Federation, 40 of the 99 victims were under 30 years old, and more than 90% were male. This is the highest number since June 2003, when 107 people died.
The World Health Organization reported that over 1,300 people died across Europe at the start of summer. France's sports minister, Marina Ferrari, said 131 people have drowned there since June 19.
Last week, Germany's main public health institute reported at least 5,120 heat-related deaths this year, with 4,270 of them aged 75 and older.
Human-caused climate breakdown is supercharging extreme weather worldwide, driving more frequent and deadly heatwaves and wildfires.
In France this weekend, the Eiffel Tower and other Paris landmarks announced early closures as a quarter of the country sweltered under the third heatwave since May. Twenty-four departments, home to 22.2 million people, were under maximum alert.
The Eiffel Tower operator said the monument would close early on Saturday and Sunday at 4pm. The 330-metre structure usually stays open past midnight during high season. The Louvre and Musée d'Orsay have taken similar measures.
Organisers of the Tour de France cycling race said Sunday's 185.5 km stage would be shortened by 30 km, the first such decision in history. Belgian cyclist Tim Merlier welcomed the news: "We are now one week of racing; it was always above 35C degrees. It's definitely a fight to have water, ice and drinks."
Many towns have called off Bastille Day fireworks on July 14 due to fire risk. French President Emmanuel Macron called for vigilance, warning that nine out of 10 fires are due to human activity.
France recorded over 2,000 excess deaths during the June heatwave. The government has faced criticism for being "unprepared" for extreme weather.
In Spain, a wildfire that killed at least 12 people in the south has been contained. Andalucía regional head Juan Manuel Moreno said the fire was under control. About 1,500 evacuees have begun returning home. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is scheduled to visit the devastated area on Monday. Officials said many victims could be foreign nationals, including Britons.