With France witnessing an unprecedented heatwave, the situation triggered panic aboard a popular train travelling from Paris to Nice after several passengers reportedly experienced breathing difficulties due to the extreme temperatures. The train was eventually halted, and videos shared by local media showed passengers standing beside the tracks in search of shade while drinking water and juice. Rescue teams later arrived at the scene to assist stranded passengers and reports indicated that the ordeal lasted for nearly four hours.
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The video, doing the rounds on social media, shows hundreds of passengers out of the train, standing near the tracks, sitting on the staircase, visibly upset due to the weather conditions. According to local reports, the train coach was not equipped with air conditioning, worsening conditions for passengers trapped in the heat. The incident has raised concerns over public transport preparedness amid rising temperatures across Europe.
"This country is becoming a disgrace, and especially its public transportation. We're constantly facing increasingly major breakdowns while the price keeps rising! With transportation that's getting dirtier and dirtier!," a user commented. "The French downgrade is going to end up in the history books… how is it that in a country like France, the train isn’t air-conditioned in 2026?????," asked another.
For the past few days, Paris has been facing extreme weather conditions rarely seen in recent years, similar to India, which has recorded temperatures of 47–48°C. Several parts of France experienced soaring temperatures on Monday, May 25, touching 35°C, while western regions reported highs of 36°C.
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Authorities say residents in these colder regions are struggling to cope with the unusually intense heat, leading to growing health concerns. This is an unprecedented, millennial-scale event, with about a one-in-1,000 chance of occurring at this time of year, compared to the climate from 1979 to 2025.
