Fifth heatwave of the year hits Portugal and France, bringing 43°C temperatures, 55 drownings and extreme fire risk

Heatwave Sweeps Portugal and France

Portugal is experiencing its fifth heatwave of the year, with the IPMA forecasting "very hot and dry" conditions. Maximum temperatures are expected to reach between 40 and 43°C in the Tejo Valley and Alentejo from Wednesday, 1 July. In France, the heatwave began on 18 June and peaked on 29 June, with 61 departments remaining on red alert as of Tuesday. More than 51 million French residents have faced extreme heat.

“A long period of very hot and dry weather is expected, with maximum temperatures reaching between 40 and 43°C in the Tejo Valley and Alentejo from the 1st.”

Rising Drowning Toll in France

Since the heatwave began on 18 June, 55 people have drowned in France, according to Sports Minister Marina Ferrari. She noted that 65% of these drownings occurred in unsupervised or unauthorized bathing areas. Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu had reported 40 deaths, mostly young people. France’s summer 2025 saw 409 drownings, a 16% increase over 2024, including 57 children and adolescents.

“65% of these drownings occur in unsupervised or unauthorized bathing areas.”

Summer 2024353

Summer 2025409

Summer 2024

353 deaths

Summer 2025

409 deaths

Data from the article text

Portugal Fears a Similar Fate

The Portuguese Life Saving Federation (Fepons) has classified the current situation as “red risk of drowning,” with President Alexandre Tadeia pointing to recent experiences in France, Germany, and Spain, where heatwaves led to a spike in water deaths. In Portugal, 57 people had drowned by 31 May 2026, nearly matching the 58 deaths in the same period of 2024, which was the worst since records began in 2017. The federation urges bathers to choose supervised locations, avoid alcohol, never swim alone, and keep children within arm’s reach.

“We are classifying the situation as a red drowning risk.”

Fire and Blackout Risks

Climatologist Carlos Câmara warns that the heatwave, the fifth this year, is part of a worsening trend linked to climate change. High nighttime temperatures in the south will prevent homes from cooling, exacerbating fire danger. The Center and Northeast regions face extreme fire risk from Thursday, 2 July. Separately, energy specialist Nuno Amaro cautions that prolonged heat could cause transformer failures, leading to power outages, as most substations are outdoors.

“This type of event will become increasingly frequent. I have not the slightest doubt.”