Key facts
- Germany recorded its highest ever temperature of 41.3C in Saarbrücken.
- Temperatures broke June records in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
- Spain reported 327 potential heat-related deaths, and France noted deaths at home.
- Public events, including festivals and marches, were cancelled across Europe due to extreme heat.
- Climate change is identified as a primary driver of Europe's rapid warming.
Europe is experiencing a severe heatwave with record-breaking temperatures in several countries, leading to health crises, disruptions, and fatalities. Germany recorded its highest ever temperature of 41.3C in Saarbrücken, while Belgium and the Netherlands also saw June records tumble. France is concerned about deaths occurring at home, and Spain has counted hundreds of potential heat-related fatalities. The World Meteorological Organization warned of significant impacts on health, ecosystems, agriculture, and labour, emphasizing the need to adapt to such events.
The extreme heat has prompted the cancellation of numerous public events across the continent, including music festivals, marches, and sporting events, due to health risks and strained hospital systems. A Eurostar train experienced a breakdown, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded. In Switzerland, a nuclear power plant temporarily shut down reactors because river temperatures exceeded safe cooling limits.
Climate change is identified as a key factor driving Europe's rapid warming, heating up twice as fast as the global average. Meteorologists predict that records may continue to be broken in other parts of Europe, including the Czech Republic and Austria, over the weekend. The heatwave's impact is also felt in the mountains, with Swiss glaciers melting at an alarming rate, comparable to the record year of 2022.