Europe heatwave causes 1,000+ deaths in France; climate change blamed

Europe is grappling with a record-breaking heatwave, as temperatures soared to 40 degrees Celsius in parts of the continent on Sunday, June 28, 2026. The extreme heat has led to significant disruptions, including power generation issues, infrastructure damage, and overwhelmed healthcare systems. France has reported an alarming figure of over 1,000 excess deaths during the heatwave, primarily affecting the elderly. Health authorities anticipate this number will increase as more data becomes available from residential care facilities and private homes.

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Right now 150 million people are living under extreme heat, hundreds have died, schools are shut, grids are buckling.

Scientists have characterized this heatwave as the worst recorded in Europe, emphasizing its strong link to human-caused climate change. They state that the phenomenon, once considered a "once-in-a-generation" event, is now occurring almost annually. The World Health Organization's Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, highlighted on the X platform that 150 million people are currently under extreme heat conditions, with hundreds dead and essential services strained. He warned that Europe's infrastructure, including homes, workplaces, and schools, is ill-equipped to handle such extreme temperatures.

The heatwave, which began on June 20, has been intensified by climate change, making the soaring night-time temperatures 100 times more likely than they were two decades ago. While storms have brought some relief to parts of France, they have also caused further disruptions to travel and power supplies. In Germany, train services have been reduced on a key line, and trams in Leipzig have been suspended. Many residents are staying indoors to avoid the blistering conditions.

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Driven by climate change and global warming, the phenomenon of the 'once-in-a-generation' heatwave is now occurring nearly annually. We were warned.

In Rome, Pope Leo acknowledged the sweltering conditions during Sunday prayers. The extreme heat is also impacting Europe's rivers, leading to lower water levels and warmer temperatures, which in turn affect electricity generation and agriculture. Hungary's Paks nuclear power plant has reportedly reduced its output due to these conditions. Meanwhile, in Rome, an electronic bracelet system is being used to monitor the health of the elderly, a preventive measure introduced by the municipality to assist vulnerable residents during the heatwave.

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The heatwave would have been "virtually impossible" without human-caused climate change, which has made this week's soaring night-time temperatures 100 times more likely than they would have been just two decades ago.