France confirmed its first fatalities of the summer heatwave after two people died from heat-related illnesses, Ecological Transition Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher said on Wednesday. Firefighters have provided emergency care to more than 300 people nationwide since the latest surge in temperatures. The episode, underway since 19 June, kept Aube, Yonne, Loiret and Cher under maximum red alert until 22:00, while a further 55 departments remained on orange alert, according to Météo-France. Temperatures on Tuesday reached 41.3 °C in Nîmes and exceeded 40 °C in several other cities; Paris was still expected to top 30 °C on Wednesday. Météo-France said June was the country’s second-hottest on record, running 3.3 °C above the 1900–2024 average. Health officials reported a 15 % increase in SAMU emergency call-outs in the Île-de-France region, though hospitals have not yet activated the national “plan blanc” crisis protocol. Authorities closed more than 2,200 schools and fielded about 900 calls to the government’s heatwave hotline on Tuesday. Officials continue to urge residents, particularly older and vulnerable people, to stay hydrated, seek cool spaces and limit outdoor activity during the hottest hours.