US Edition
What Does 50C Feel Like? Touring ‘Heat Chamber’ Allows French People to Find Out
FRANCE, JUL 11 – Authorities report over 100 drowning deaths linked to a heat wave that increased water activity and exposure to drowning risks across France in one month.
- In the spring of 2025, two young French people experienced a climate chamber in Marseille that simulated a steady 50°C to demonstrate extreme heat effects.
- This event responds to rising temperatures and an alarming heatwave in June and early July that caused over 100 drowning deaths and concluded on July 2, 2025.
- Participants reported physical discomfort like difficulty reading and heavy breathing, highlighting how heat forces the body to focus on basic survival and slows brain function.
- Christian Clot from the Human Adaptation Institute emphasized the challenge of fully comprehending what 50°C feels like, highlighting that the climate chamber provides a valuable opportunity to experience such extreme heat firsthand while underscoring the importance of preparation and awareness around CO2 emissions.
- The event underscores urgent need for preventive public safety measures amid climate change, as France enacts outdoor worker protections and debates air conditioning plans.
39 Articles
39 Articles
What does 50C feel like? Touring ‘heat chamber’ allows French people to find out
As climate change drives temperature increases across Europe, heatwaves are becoming more frequent and more intense. While the mercury has not yet hit 50C in France, a group of researchers is giving people the chance to experience life at that temperature, touring the country with a heated container in tow.
Since the murder of 2003 and its 15,000 deaths and subsequent episodes, the government has been accumulating adaptation plans... without achieving satisfactory results.
The heat wave probably explains in large part the very alarming figures published by the Ministry of Health on Friday 11 July. Between 1 June and 2 July, 109 people died by drowning. This represents an increase of 58% compared to the same period in 2024. These are accidents that took place mainly on unattended streams, such as rivers or lakes. The French sought to refresh themselves, even perhaps taking more risks. (Social topics).
During the heat wave in France, it pulled many people into the cooling water. However, the high temperatures also drove massively up the number of bathing deaths. More than 100 people died in June. Between 1 June and 2 July, there were 429 bathing accidents with 109 bathing deaths in France, as reported by the health authorities and the water watch in Paris. The number of bathing accidents increased by 95 per cent compared to the same period las…
In France, there were temperatures of more than 40 degrees. This attracted people to the bathing areas – and apparently also led to more accidents. In June alone, more than 100 people died, including 19 minors.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 37% of the sources lean Left
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
