• Over 1,300 schools closed in France as extreme temperatures peak.
• The Mediterranean Sea hits record temperatures amid heatwave conditions.
• Health alerts issued across Europe, raising concerns over biodiversity and public safety.

France has closed more than a thousand schools and suspended access to the top floor of the Eiffel Tower due to a severe heatwave impacting Europe. Temperature highs are expected to reach 40-41 degrees Celsius in some regions, with significant health alerts issued across the continent, according to Reuters, South China Morning Post, and Channel News Asia.

The Mediterranean Sea temperatures are reaching up to 6 degrees Celsius higher than usual, peaking at around 30 degrees Celsius in Spain's Balearic region. This unprecedented heating is attributed to a heat dome trapping hot air above the area, reflecting Europe’s status as the world's fastest-warming continent, according to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service, mentioned by Reuters, South China Morning Post, and Channel News Asia.

Moreover, the heatwave poses increased risks for biodiversity and agricultural practices. Reports indicate that farmers in France, the EU's largest grain producer, are adapting by working night hours to avoid peak daytime temperatures. Additionally, authorities in certain regions have restricted agricultural activities during the hottest parts of the day, as fields face high fire risks, according to Reuters, South China Morning Post, and Channel News Asia.

Scientists have expressed concerns regarding the long-term implications of these heat conditions on species and ecosystems. Kathryn Smith, a scientist from the Marine Biological Association of the UK, warned, "In the past, we have seen impacts like mass mortalities of invertebrate species... It’s likely that we’ll see similar impacts from this event," as reported by Reuters, South China Morning Post, and Channel News Asia.

Health alerts are currently in effect across Europe, with reports indicating that extreme heat claims as many as 480,000 lives globally each year. This statistic exceeds the combined toll from other natural disasters including floods and hurricanes, according to Reuters, South China Morning Post, and Channel News Asia.