Europe swelters under heatwave, France restricts alcohol consumption

A punishing heatwave sweeping across much of Europe prompted a partial alcohol ban in France, nationwide warnings in Germany and the closure of a

soccer fan zone in Spain, as temperatures climbed towards record levels.



France was expecting 35 of its 96 departments or regions to declare red heatwave alerts on Sunday with temperatures of 39 to 40 degrees Celsius (102-104 Fahrenheit) expected from the southwest through the Paris region into Burgundy, with some areas possibly reaching 41C.



After a crisis meeting, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu pre-emptively banned alcohol consumption on Sunday at the annual Fete de la Musique festivals and other public events to be held in those 35 regions on Sunday. Authorities in Paris ordered parks to remain open around the clock, however.



Heat alertswere declared in most of Germany, with temperatures approaching 38C. The DWD weather service warned that a combination of heat and humidity could trigger severe thunderstorms.