France places 60 departments on orange alert as heatwave intensifies

France's meteorological service issued an orange alert on Saturday for 60 departments across the country due to an exceptional heatwave. The warning covers more than two-thirds of France's departments, with temperatures forecast to reach 38 degrees Celsius. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is scheduled to chair a crisis-cell meeting on Saturday attended by 14 ministers, including those overseeing the interior, armed forces, education, health and justice portfolios. The session is intended to coordinate the government's response to the heatwave. Meteorologists said temperature readings have climbed 10 to 15 degrees above the climate average for this time of year. On 26 May, several regions of France recorded the hottest May day since measurements began, breaking numerous historical records for the month. France has faced an unprecedented May heatwave, with many long-standing monthly temperature marks surpassed.