The French government has activated an unprecedented emergency plan to deal with an intense heatwave, with temperatures expected to rise to 40 degrees Celsius in the coming days.
The plan, drawn up in response to previous heatwaves, includes setting up cooling centres for the most vulnerable people, government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon said on TF1 television on Friday.
The plan targets primarily the elderly and the homeless. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu confirmed the activation of the plan.
According to Bregeon, the plan applies to the regions recording the highest temperatures in the country. French weather service Météo-France said the heatwave is currently affecting 9 regions in western France.
The area of intense heat is expected to expand on Saturday, when a red warning is set to be issued for the greater Paris region.