Police search underway for 3 missing in River Thames

By Muhammad Mussa

LONDON (AA) - British police are searching for three people who have reportedly gone missing after swimming in the River Thames as a heatwave is scorching the U.K.

According to the Metropolitan police Wednesday, one person went missing at Waterloo Bridge in central London, another at Kingston high street in southwest London and a third at Shadwell Basin in east London.

“River searches continue today to locate three people reported in the Thames at #Shadwell, #Kingston and #Waterloo,” the Metropolitan police said in a statement on Twitter.

“Officers and the maritime policing unit attended along with other emergency service personnel and are searching the area,” it added.

The search for the missing swimmers has come as the U.K. undergoes an intense heatwave with temperatures across the British Isles exceeding 30°C. The Met Office and the National Health Service (NHS) have issued an amber alert and have warned people to stay in the shade and keep hydrated.

“Temperatures will climb through the week, potentially reaching record breaking levels by Thursday with 38-39°C possible in the south east of England,” the Met Office said in a statement.

“For some people, such as older people, those with underlying health conditions and young children, the summer heat can bring real health risks,” it added.

“An amber heatwave warning has been issued by @metoffice. Try to avoid spending extended periods in the sun this week. Also be aware that vulnerable people are at increased risk of health issues. #HeatwaveUK,” the NHS said on Twitter.

As with the intensifying heat, many parts of the U.K. have experienced thunder and lightning storms in the early hours of Wednesday morning with some people claiming to have been awakened at 3 a.m. due to the phenomena.

Others took to the Twitter to draw on the coincidences between Boris Johnson being chosen as the U.K.’s next prime minister and the ensuing thunder and lightning storms, associating the bizarre weather events with Johnson’s appointment.

One user by the name @DrJFTFernandes said that “Boris hasn't even been PM 24 hours and the apocalypse has already started #Thunderstorm,” with a video of heavy lightning seen above his house.

The anti-Brexit campaign group, Led By Donkeys, posted a video on Twitter of Buckingham Palace, the Queen’s official residence, under a sky filled with lightning and a projection of Boris Johnson holding a fish under the caption “your majesty, your new prime minister is a LIAR,” emblazoned on the palace walls.

According to the Met Office, this week’s heatwave has broken all past records with Thursday tipped to be the hottest day with temperatures could sear up to 39-40 degrees Celsius.