68,000 French Homes Lose Electricity as Extreme Heat Strains Power Grid
RENNES, France — Around 68,000 households in western France were left without electricity on Wednesday as a record‑breaking heatwave strained the country’s power grid, authorities said.
The outage, caused by a transformer failure linked to extreme temperatures, struck the coastal department of Finistère in Brittany. No injuries were reported, according to a statement from the local prefecture.
The incident marks the first major power cut of the current heatwave, which has sent temperatures soaring above 40°C across much of France. The national weather service has placed more than half of the country on red alert, with conditions expected to persist until at least Friday.
The extreme heat has also worsened air quality, forced school closures, and been linked to multiple drownings as people seek relief in rivers and seas. Authorities have urged residents to stay hydrated, avoid outdoor activity during peak hours, and check on vulnerable neighbours.
France introduced a heat warning system after the deadly 2003 heatwave, which caused an estimated 15,000 deaths. Europe is the world’s fastest‑warming continent, and scientists warn that human‑caused climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of such extreme weather events.
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