French emergency services have reached a critical threshold after seven consecutive days of extreme heat, with hospital admissions accelerating sharply overnight between Wednesday and Thursday.
The surge in heat-related cases has overwhelmed local capacity, forcing authorities to escalate their response.
In reaction to the deteriorating situation, the French prime minister activated Level 3 of the ORSAN (Operational Response Plan for Health Emergencies).
This measure is designed to increase hospital staffing and resources, signaling that the healthcare system is struggling to cope with the volume of patients seeking treatment for heatstroke and dehydration.
The crisis unfolds against a backdrop of severe weather sweeping through Western Europe.
Temperatures in parts of France have reached 44 degrees Celsius, causing widespread disruptions to daily life.