From France to Italy: Europe swelters in record-breaking heatwave

Europe is grappling with an intense heatwave, with temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius across multiple nations. France, Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Germany are all experiencing extreme heat, prompting red alerts in numerous areas and forcing significant adjustments to daily life.

In France, temperatures are forecast to exceed 40 degrees, with a large part of the country under red alert. The nation recorded its warmest night ever, with temperatures not dropping below 21.6 degrees Celsius on average. This extreme heat has led to early school closures and limited access to landmarks like the Eiffel Tower. Tragically, the heatwave has already claimed over 40 lives, with victims drowning while attempting to cool off in rivers.

Spain and Italy are also severely affected, with temperatures reaching over 40 degrees and red alerts in effect in many cities, including Rome and Milan. Nurses are raising alarms about unsafe conditions in hospitals, where temperatures are reportedly exceeding the legal limit of 27 degrees Celsius in some wards. While these southern European countries are accustomed to high temperatures, the current heatwave is described as exceptionally early and intense.

The United Kingdom and Germany are also facing unprecedented heat. In the UK, temperatures are nearing 40 degrees in London, leading to school closures and train service disruptions. Germany is experiencing intense heat, particularly in the west and south, with temperatures approaching 40 degrees. The heat has driven many to seek relief in water, but this has also resulted in fatalities, including six people who drowned, three of whom were swimmers in the Rhine River. The low water levels in rivers like the Elbe near Dresden are also a consequence of the extreme heat.