France left without electricity as a record-breaking heatwave gripped large parts of EuropeTens of thousands of households in France were left without electricity as a record-breaking heatwave gripped large parts of Europe on Wednesday, with soaring temperatures overwhelming infrastructure, triggering health warnings and prompting authorities across the continent to issue alerts as extreme weather intensified.France experienced its hottest day since records began in 1947, according to national weather agency Meteo-France. The country's national temperature indicator, which averages daytime and nighttime readings from 30 monitoring stations, reached 30°C on Wednesday, surpassing the record of 29.8°C set just a day earlier.The extreme heat triggered a major power outage in the northwestern department of Finistere after a heat-related incident involving a transformer. Authorities said around 68,000 households remained without electricity on Wednesday, while power network operator data showed that as many as 106,000 customers had been affected late on Tuesday. Repair crews worked through the night, but full restoration was not expected before the end of Wednesday.The latest heatwave has exposed the vulnerability of infrastructure across France, where scientists say power systems and buildings were largely designed before climate change made heatwaves longer, more frequent and more intense. Demand for cooling equipment has surged, with sales of fans and air conditioners rising sharply in a country where many homes lack protection against prolonged extreme heat.More than 90 per cent of the French population is currently exposed to unusually high temperatures. Alongside 31 departments already under orange alert, temperatures between 39°C and 41°C were forecast across large areas of the country on Wednesday, stretching from Brittany to Paris and much of the southwest.Forecasters warned that the heatwave is far from over. Meteo-France said temperatures could climb to between 40°C and 42°C over the weekend.The deadly conditions have already taken a toll. French authorities reported that at least 48 people have drowned while attempting to cool off in rivers, lakes and coastal waters during the heatwave. Two young children also died after being left in a car during the extreme temperatures.The World Health Organization warned that the prolonged spell of heat poses a significant public health threat across Europe."We cannot afford further delay. Leaders must prioritise investment in climate-resilient health systems, while also accelerating climate action and mitigating the drivers of the climate crisis," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.The heatwave has also shattered records elsewhere in Western Europe.In the United Kingdom, the Met Office said it had recorded the hottest June day on record, with a provisional temperature of 35.7°C on Wednesday, surpassing the previous benchmark set in 1976. A red heat health alert has been issued for much of central and southern England and Wales, only the second such warning ever issued in the country.Forecasters expect temperatures to peak on Wednesday and Thursday, with parts of London and southern England potentially reaching 39°C."Red warnings are reserved for the most severe events, and we’re expecting severe and significant impacts from this heatwave, with health impacts likely for many, even beyond those who are normally more vulnerable to the heat," said Mark Sidaway, deputy chief forecaster at the Met Office.The heat has disrupted transport across Britain, forcing the closure of some schools and the cancellation of train services. Eurostar also cancelled four services between London and Paris scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday because of the weather conditions.Italy's health ministry placed 16 cities, including Rome and Milan, under red heatwave alerts on Wednesday. Spain, meanwhile, recorded its highest average daily temperatures for June since at least 1950, with readings on both Monday and Tuesday exceeding previous records.Spanish authorities reported the deaths of two elderly people from heatstroke after temperatures climbed above 40°C in several regions. While meteorologists expect some cooling in parts of Spain, relief remains limited across much of Western Europe.The Netherlands has issued code orange warnings for extreme heat through at least Friday in central and southern regions, while Belgium has placed the entire country under an orange alert as temperatures continue to rise.Meteorologists said the heatwave is being fuelled by atmospheric circulation patterns that trap hot air over the region for extended periods. Scientists warn that global warming is intensifying such events, making them more severe and longer lasting.The heat is now expected to spread eastwards. Poland has issued high-level heat warnings from Thursday to Saturday, with temperatures threatening to challenge the national record of 40.2°C set in 1921. Croatia's Adriatic coast has been placed under red alert for the weekend, while Hungary plans to raise its heat warning to the highest level from Saturday as temperatures continue to climb.