Deadly heatwave forces nuclear reactor shutdown in France

France has been forced to shut down a nuclear reactor as an intense European heatwave pushes temperatures towards 46°C, leaving a trail of fatalities, infrastructure strain, and widespread disruption across the continent.

Operators at the Golfech nuclear power station near Toulouse took one of the plant’s reactors offline after water temperatures in the Garonne River exceeded safe operating limits, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The reactor depends on river water for its cooling systems, but the extreme heat has left water temperatures too high for safe operation.

The shutdown comes as a vast “heat dome” stretching from North Africa engulfs much of Europe, with forecasters warning that some regions could experience the most extreme temperatures in living memory.

The severe conditions have already proven deadly.

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said 40 people have drowned since June 18 while attempting to cool off in rivers, lakes and coastal waters during the heatwave.

Among the victims was a 13-year-old girl who died over the weekend.

In a separate incident, a mother in the southern town of Carpentras found her two children, aged two and four, unconscious inside a vehicle outside their home. Prosecutors have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

“The causes of death are yet to be determined, but the heatwave is the leading line of inquiry,” said prosecutor Hélène Mourges.

Three elderly residents in the Gironde region also reportedly died after temperatures reached dangerous levels.

The extreme weather is disrupting life far beyond France.

Spain has placed almost the entire country under heat alerts, with temperatures forecast to reach 40°C in several regions. Italy has issued its highest-level warnings for major cities including Rome, Milan and Florence, while Belgium is preparing for what meteorologists fear could be its hottest temperatures on record.

Transport systems are also under pressure. Belgium’s rail operator has cancelled some services, warning that extreme heat could damage infrastructure and cause widespread delays.

In the United Kingdom, passengers have been warned to expect disruption as temperatures rise sharply in the coming days.

The warning follows severe thunderstorms across southern England, with nearly 30,000 lightning strikes recorded overnight, causing flash flooding, power outages, and travel disruption.

Forecasters now say the storms will be replaced by potentially record-breaking heat.

The Met Office has issued its highest-level heat alert for large parts of central and southern England on June 24-25, with temperatures potentially reaching 40°C.

Liz Bentley, chief executive of the Royal Meteorological Society, warned of an exceptionally dangerous period ahead.

“The coming week will bring an unprecedented heatwave with temperatures likely to reach 38–39°C,” she said.

Authorities across Europe are urging the public to take precautions, stay hydrated, and avoid unnecessary travel during peak heat hours.

For millions across the continent, officials say the message is increasingly clear: this is no ordinary summer heatwave, but a test of how far Europe’s infrastructure, public services, and communities can withstand extreme temperatures pushing into previously unthinkable territory.

By Vafa Guliyeva