It is very hot in Europe right now. 40 people died in France while swimming. Many of them were young. They wanted to cool down in rivers or lakes. There was often no lifeguard. Minister Marina Ferrari warns: Swimming is dangerous. Cars are also very dangerous. 2 children died in a hot car in Carpentras. Near Bordeaux, 3 old people died from the heat. France has the highest warning level: Red. It applies to 54 areas. Experts measure up to 44 degrees there.
Other countries are also very hot. Spain has warnings for almost the whole country. In the city of Bilbao, it is 40 degrees. In Germany, a tennis match in Berlin stopped. In Vienna, teachers measure 35 degrees in classrooms. They demand better protection from the heat. In Innsbruck, there are now cool places for people. These places are called Cooling-Zones. There is shade and fresh water. The city gives advice: Drink lots of water. Stay in the shade. Do not do sports in the hot sun.
Experts say: Climate change makes the heat worse. A special weather pattern keeps the hot air. It comes from the Sahara in North Africa to Europe. Since 1970, more people suffer from heat-stress. That means: The body cannot cool itself down. Today, over 1 billion people in the world suffer.
