France reports 20 drowning deaths during severe heatwave

Given the recent sweltering heatwave sweeping France, Chinese diplomatic missions in the country have issued an advisory for Chinese tourists traveling to France to take heatstroke prevention measures and reduce outdoor activities during peak temperature hours.

The deadly heatwave has battered France since last week, disrupting daily life and forcing school closures and train cancellations, with Lecornu convening ministers for a new crisis meeting on June 23 to address the situation.

Police have launched a manslaughter probe after two children died after allegedly being left in the car during a 40C heatwave.

Among the victims were two young children, aged two and four, who were found unconscious inside a family car outside their home in southeastern France.