Approximately 20 individuals have drowned in France while attempting to escape a severe heatwave affecting much of Europe. The country is facing extreme temperatures and challenges with its power grid, as record-high temperatures have also been reported in parts of the UK and Spain, according to Al Jazeera.

Tens of thousands of homes in western France are experiencing power outages due to a record-breaking heatwave, with temperatures expected to peak on Wednesday. Approximately 68,000 homes in Brittany are affected, and authorities have indicated that electricity may not be fully restored until Wednesday night at the earliest.

A fast-moving wildfire erupted near Thessaloniki, Greece, prompting evacuations in three small suburbs as reported by the country's Fire Service. The fire began in a mountainous ravine around 8:30 p.m. local time and quickly spread, affecting the surrounding areas.

According to Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, forty people have drowned in France due to heatwave-related incidents since last Thursday. This surge in drowning deaths coincides with a peak heatwave affecting Europe.

Hundreds of firefighters are engaged in combating wildfires in Portugal and Greece, with Spain and Italy providing reinforcements to Portugal for a blaze that has been ongoing for over three days. In Thessaloniki, Greece, authorities have advised residents to stay indoors and close windows and doors due to the presence of toxic smoke, as the situation escalates.

France has declared red heatwave alerts for approximately half of the country as temperatures reach record highs, prompting Parisians to seek relief by cooling off in local canals, according to BBC World.