France has expanded its highest weather alert to 49 mainland departments, with authorities ordering the closure of 845 schools and allowing another 1,800 to release students early as temperatures exceed 40°C in some areas.

Officials in the Gironde region reported that three people aged 80 to 95 died over the weekend in incidents linked in part to extreme heat.

Transport services have also been affected, with rail operators in France and Belgium reducing services to mitigate the risk of heat-related infrastructure failures.

Spain’s meteorological agency warned that temperatures could reach 44°C in some regions through Wednesday, while Britain is forecast to experience an unprecedented June heatwave, with temperatures potentially climbing to 38–39°C and breaking national records.

Climate researcher Akshay Deoras of the University of Reading said that human-induced climate change has intensified current conditions, making extreme temperatures significantly more severe than in the past.

Authorities across the continent continue to urge residents to take precautions as the prolonged heatwave continues.