Extreme temperatures are gripping Europe during an unusual May heat wave that’s breaking long-standing records, including new highs set in the United Kingdom on Monday, while government officials issue safety alerts following fatalities at recreational sporting events in France.
Marina Ferrari, the French sports minister, expressed sympathy for the family of a participant who died Sunday during a running event in Paris. According to Le Parisien newspaper, the 53-year-old man went into cardiac arrest while running in the capital’s 20th arrondissement, and emergency responders could not save him.
While officials have not confirmed whether the runner’s death was connected to the heat, Ferrari indicated there may be a correlation.
“The events that occurred today (Sunday) during running races are a reminder that practicing sports in extreme heat requires absolute vigilance,” Ferrari said in an X post. “My thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the runner who died in Paris, as well as with the people who were treated by emergency services.”
Meanwhile, in Lyon, a southeastern French city, local news outlet Actu Lyon reported Monday that a woman died from heat stroke during a separate athletic competition, also occurring on Sunday.
Meteo France, the country’s weather monitoring agency, confirmed that temperatures are setting new May records, climbing above 30 C (86 F) across much of France with forecasts showing the heat continuing through the week.
Britain established a new May temperature record on Monday following the declaration of a heat wave across multiple regions of the country.
People and visitors flocked to coastal areas and parks while seeking shade during the holiday as temperatures reached 33.5 C (92.3 F) at London’s Heathrow Airport, surpassing the previous May record of 32.8 C (91.4 F) established in 1922 and equaled in 1944.
The U.K. Health Security Agency has announced its first amber health warning of the year, cautioning about increased mortality risks, especially among elderly populations, during peak heat periods.
Climate scientists note that extreme weather events are becoming more common as global warming intensifies. Researchers warn that unprecedented and dangerous weather patterns that can occur during unexpected seasons and in atypical locations are exposing more populations to risk.
