Police in Paris banned public drinking and takeaway liquor sales as a heatwave across parts of Europe pushes hospitals towards their limits.
The city's fire brigade call-outs topped 2,500 on Thursday, and dozens of deaths have been reported in France, with scores more across countries.
Alcohol, a diuretic that can worsen dehydration, is particularly hazardous during heatwaves, as it interferes with the body's ability to regulate its own temperature.
Experts warn that drinking liquor during a heatwave can lead to dehydration, irregular heartbeats, and even heart attacks in vulnerable populations.
With the heatwave driving Europeans to rivers and water bodies to cool off, multiple drownings have already been reported across France and other countries.
