French authorities have banned the sale and consumption of alcohol at selected events during a major national music festival on Sunday as the country braces for soaring temperatures linked to an intense heatwave.
The restrictions were introduced as temperatures in several regions were forecast to approach record highs, raising concerns over dehydration, heatstroke and other health risks among festival-goers.
Officials said the temporary measure is aimed at protecting public health, with emergency services placed on alert as large crowds gather for celebrations. Authorities have also urged people to drink plenty of water, seek shade and avoid prolonged exposure to the sun during the hottest parts of the day.
France, like several other European countries, has experienced increasingly frequent and severe heatwaves in recent years, a trend scientists largely attribute to climate change.
The music festival, one of the country's largest cultural events, continues under heightened safety measures as officials monitor weather conditions across the nation.
