France: new heatwave, government activates contingency plan

Rome, 10 July (LaPresse) – French government spokesperson Maud Bregeon has announced the activation of an emergency plan for “extreme heat” in all departments under a red alert, of which there are currently nine and which are expected to rise to 24 on Saturday. “ “The aim of this plan, which did not exist in the past, is to take into account the lessons learnt from recent heatwaves,” she explained to TF1, emphasising in particular that “the most vulnerable people – those living alone, often in cities and often elderly – suffer a higher excess mortality rate than the rest of the population. We will therefore open dedicated centres – protection centres and cooling centres – where we can offer them shelter.”