'Hell on Earth': Public in Southern France Suffers Record Heat Wave

The area is experiencing dangerous weather conditions as the whole of Western Europe is dealing with an intense heat wave this week that reportedly may turn deadly. The 2003 European heat wave reportedly resulted in the death of around 20,000 people. ​

The southern France department of Gard expects temperatures on 28 June to soar and break the state's historical record of 44.1°C (111 Fahrenheit), the national meteorological service stated.

Later on Friday, the temperature met the expectations of meteorologists as it reached 44.3°C in Carpentras and Vaucluse, according to the French BFM TV broadcaster.  

France’s national record-high temperature of 44.1°C was recorded in the Gard communes of Conqueyrac and Saint-Christol-les-Ales on 12 August 2003, during the deadly heatwave which hit the continent that year.