Sudden weather phenomenon causes mass evacuation at French beaches

A weather phenomenon known as galerne caused a sudden evacuation of beachgoers in southwestern France, specifically in Hendaye and Biarritz. The event occurred during a heatwave on Sunday, when temperatures reached as high as 38 to 42.9 degrees Celsius in the region. Within six minutes, the sky turned dark, and temperatures dropped by 15 degrees Celsius. Beachgoers reported strong winds, blowing sand, and flying beach umbrellas, describing the scene as alarming. Witnesses compared the gusts to a whirlwind, noting the rapid shift from clear sunshine to heavy clouds and reduced visibility. Local authorities and observers noted that while the galerne is a known regional occurrence, the intensity of this particular event was unprecedented. No injuries were reported, though the incident caused significant panic among tourists.