CLERMONT-FERRAND, France (AFP) — France saw a record level of traffic jams on Saturday, with cars stuck in gridlock on roasting roads spanning 820 kilometers across a country suffering a brutal heatwave.
France's traffic authorities said the peak was reached just after noon, easily beating both last Saturday's record of 470 miles and the previous record of 762 kilometers set on Aug. 3 of last year.
The country has been sweltering through a heatwave since Thursday, with temperatures pushing toward 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in several areas.
In the southwest, Brive-la-Gaillarde broke its record with 40.8C on Friday, as did Cognac with 39.8C, while Nantes in the west posted a new record of 39.6C.
No relief is expected until Wednesday, with the soaring temperatures compounding the pressure as the country's coronavirus outbreak worsens, the number of daily infections hitting 2,288 on Friday.
Authorities reminded sweltering citizens that masks must continue to be worn where they have been mandated, despite the heat.
Roland and Helene, retirees in suburban Paris, said they go out in the morning "to get some fresh air," but then spend the rest of the day hiding in their apartment.
"We fear the heat a lot," Helene said.
Last year was France's hottest on record, and the Meteo France weather agency has warned that global warming could double the number of heatwaves by 2050.
© Agence France-Presse
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