Paris bans public alcohol sales as heat wave strains hospitals

Paris officials announced a temporary ban on drinking alcohol in public spaces, except in the outdoor seating areas of bars and restaurants, starting at noon on Friday. The restriction also covers the sale of alcoholic drinks for home consumption, and will remain in effect until the heat-wave alert is lifted.

The measure is intended to lessen the load on medical facilities, which have seen a rise in patients suffering dehydration and heat-related illnesses. > "We are reaching a saturation point in hospital facilities," Paris police chief Patrice Faure said. "The number of hospitalizations keeps increasing … I must ensure that the pressure decreases."

France's sports minister reported at least 55 recent drownings as people sought relief in water bodies, and warned that the situation could worsen. Meanwhile, the Netherlands issued its first ever red heat alert, with temperatures projected to exceed 100 °F, and urged the public to follow official guidance.

A study released by the World Weather Attribution group concluded that human-induced climate change is responsible for the intensity of the current heat wave, noting that such temperatures would have been "virtually impossible" five decades ago and are now ten times more likely than during the 2003 event. The authors highlighted the rapid warming of daily maximum and nighttime temperatures in Western Europe and called for a swift phase-out of fossil fuels to prevent further extreme heat events.