International21 June 2026

France advices vulnerable citizens to avoid trains in heatwave

The head of the French state-owned railway operator on Sunday advised vulnerable people against taking the train during the heatwave that is expected to peak in France early next week.
"We recommend the most vulnerable people postpone their trip or at least avoid taking the train during this heatwave," Jean Castex told ⁠reporters.
Castex, a former French Prime Minister, said that incidents could not be ruled out due to the high temperatures, which he said were "strongly" impacting the rail network and can notably deform tracks and damage overhead electrical lines.
Weather agency Meteo France said in its latest update on Sunday that 35 departments were now ⁠under a red heatwave warning, the maximum level, and 45 others under an orange warning, with temperatures of 41 degrees Celsius expected in some parts of the country.
"An ⁠extension of the red heatwave warning is possible for Monday in some departments currently under orange alert," Meteo France ⁠said. The heatwave is expected to intensify on Monday, with peaks of 42 C expected.
"The heatwave will likely continue (or even worsen in some regions) for much of next week," it added.

-Reuters
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