France recorded its hottest day ever on Tuesday as an early heat wave spread across Europe. "On June 23...the average temperature recorded across 30 weather stations nationwide...reached 29.8°C, surpassing the previous record of 29.4°C set on July 25, 2019...and August 5, 2003," Météo-France said. At least 40 people drowned in past week while seeking relief in rivers.