France hits record June heat, children die in cars

France recorded a historic June temperature record on 22 June 2026, with the country's average air temperature reaching 29.2°C. The extreme heat has claimed multiple lives, including two young children found dead in a car in Carpentras. The heatwave has also spread to other European countries.

France shattered its June heat record on 22 June 2026: according to the French meteorological service Météo-France, the country's average air temperature, calculated from daytime and nighttime readings, reached 29.2°C. This exceeded the previous June record, which had been registered on 30 June 2025.

Record heat and casualties

More than half of France's territory was under a red alert level on 22 June, indicating a risk of heat-related illness. In several regions, temperatures exceeded 40°C. Local temperature records were set in Rennes, Bordeaux and Angers.

The most tragic incident occurred in Carpentras in the south, where two children aged 2 and 4 were found dead in their parents' car on 22 June. According to investigators, both children died from heat exposure. In addition, three heat-related deaths were recorded over the weekend of 20-21 June, and more than a dozen swimmers were reported drowned in bodies of water.

Schools close

The effects of the heatwave extended to the education system: on 22 June, more than 1,350 French schools cancelled classes entirely. More than 4,000 schools shortened the school day, with pupils released around midday.

Heat spreads across Europe

The extreme heat was not confined to France alone. In Belgium, a peak-hour train line was suspended due to extreme temperatures to prevent technical failures. Belgium's Royal Meteorological Institute predicts that a new heat record will be set in the country over the coming weekend.

In the Netherlands, meteorologists forecast temperatures up to 37°C by the end of the week. The UK Met Office has declared a red alert level for 24 and 25 June in central and southern England, with temperatures up to 40°C expected in London, Birmingham, Bath and other cities.

Germany is expecting temperatures around 40°C in Baden-Württemberg over the next two to three days, with similar high temperatures threatening Bavaria, Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia. Spain's meteorological service Aemet warned of "extremely high" temperatures both day and night until 24 June and urged residents to keep windows closed and avoid using heat-generating appliances.