France bans alcohol at state events as heatwave triggers red alert [Courtesy/iStock]
French authorities have banned alcohol at state-run events as a dangerous heatwave places nearly half the country under a red alert.
The restriction comes as France marks the annual Fête de la Musique, a nationwide street music festival that draws millions of people outdoors each summer.
According to France 24, the office of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu ordered all state-organised events to stop serving alcohol to help ease pressure on emergency and healthcare services as temperatures continue to soar.
"For all events organised by the state and its agencies, instructions have been given not to offer alcohol. The limits on alcohol consumption aim to preserve emergency and healthcare services and allow medical staff to focus on caring for the most vulnerable," the prime minister's office said.
