PARIS, June 26 (Reuters) – The Paris police prefecture has requested the postponement of Saturday’s Pride march and the cancellation of the Solidays festival and an athletics event at Stade Charléty. These measures are being taken due to the high demand on hospitals caused by an unprecedented heatwave.
Authorities Cite ‘High Risk’ of Overburdened Health Services
In a statement released on Friday, the prefecture explained its decision: “Despite adaptations made by organizers and their efforts to increase internal first aid capacity, the attendance of several hundred thousand people at these events would create a high risk of over-solicitation of a health system already stretched to its limits.”
The statement continued, “Therefore, considering these elements and to concentrate the means still available to help the most vulnerable, the police prefect has asked the organizers to cancel their events. Should they not consent, the police prefect will prohibit them by decree.”
Alcohol Ban Imposed to Ease Emergency Services’ Load
Further demonstrating the authorities’ concerns about overwhelming emergency services, a prefectural decree issued on Thursday prohibits public alcohol consumption starting Friday at 12:00 PM (10:00 GMT) and alcohol sales from 6:00 PM (16:00 GMT).
Drowning Deaths Rise, Heatwave Persists Across France
In related news, Sports Minister Marina Ferrari confirmed on Friday to franceinfo that 55 people have died from drowning since the start of the heatwave, which has gripped France for over a week. This marks an increase of 15 deaths in just three days. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu had reported 40 deaths, primarily among young people, since June 18.
Météo France, the national meteorological service, noted in its latest bulletin that temperatures “remain scorching” this Friday, with forecasts of 39°C to 41°C expected from Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes to Burgundy-Franche-Comté, Île-de-France, and Grand-Est.
Heatwave Beginning to Recede, But Remains Severe
However, the forecaster confirmed a gradual retreat of the heatwave. After classifying a record 72 departments under red heatwave alert – the highest level – for most of Thursday, this number dropped to 61 by Thursday 10:00 PM (20:00 GMT). By Friday at the same time, an additional 11 departments are expected to downgrade from red to orange alert.
“The hottest air will gradually shift towards the east of the country, while cooler air begins to move in from the west and northwest,” Météo France stated.
According to Météo France, the current heatwave is comparable in intensity to the August 2003 heatwave, which tragically resulted in nearly 15,000 deaths in France.
Source: Reuters
