A European heatwave is music to many UK holidaymakers’ ears, particularly as the start of summer holiday season hits. Yet the sizzling hot weather does, sometimes, come at a cost. France in particular is in the midst of a searing hot spell which has seen three people die yesterday, after supposedly jumping into the sea to escape the heatwave. Mail Online reports local media claims that the individuals - aged 70, 62 and 75 - had dived into the water at the beach of Marseillan Plage, near Montpellier, before being struck with cold shock.
The 70 year old is said to then have died following cardiac arrest, while all are believed to have fallen foul of hydrocution, or cold shock, in the 33 degree heat.
Yet what is cold shock, and what can Britons heading to Europe in the heatwave do to best protect themselves?
Cold shock is described as the response of organisms to sudden cold, especially cold water.
In humans, cold shock response is the most common cause of death from immersion in very cold water.
This can happen quite easily in summertime, if tourists are dipping in the sea to cool off after sunbathing.
Holidays: Europe is set for a heatwave to reach up to 40 degrees Celcius (Image: Daily Express)
Holidays: Dangers of a cold shock in the Europe heatwave have now been flagged (Image: Getty)
The shock of the cold causes involuntary inhalation, which if someone is underwater, can result in drowning.
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