Over the past week, some 40 people in France have drowned as people sought relief from a heat wave that's descended on Europe this week. 

Most of those who drowned were young people, according to French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu. Last year, there were about 25 drowning deaths per week during the period between June 1 and September 30. 

Daytime highs are expected to climb above 104 degrees Fahrenheit in much of the country, and the high temperatures are expected to last at least until the end of the week, CBS News reported. 

France isn't alone. British schools closed for the day on Tuesday, where temperatures are close to 99 degrees Fahrenheit. In Spain, the country's national weather service issued red alters for parts of the southern region of the country, where temperatures are expected to reach 111 degrees. 

Only about one-in-five homes in Europe have air conditioning, leaving Europeans particularly susceptible to dangerous heat. Only about 3% of German homes have air conditioning. In the U.S., 88% of homes have air conditioning.