PARIS: A severe heatwave sweeping across Western Europe has claimed dozens of lives, disrupted transport and power supplies, forced school closures, and prompted authorities to issue urgent health warnings as temperatures shattered records across the region.
Britain, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and several other European countries faced extreme conditions on Wednesday, with forecasters warning that the heatwave could persist through the end of the week.
Britain recorded its hottest June day on record, with temperatures reaching 36.1 degrees Celsius in southern England, surpassing the previous June record of 35.6°C set in 1957 and matched in 1976.
France also registered unprecedented heat, with temperatures in Paris climbing to a June record of 40.9°C. The country recorded its hottest day since weather records began nearly 80 years ago when temperatures reached 44.3°C in the southwestern town of Pissos.
French authorities extended the highest-level weather alert to 72 districts and warned that dangerous conditions would continue through Thursday.
The heatwave has already resulted in significant loss of life. French authorities reported at least 48 drowning deaths linked to the extreme temperatures as people sought relief from the heat, while two young children died after being left in a vehicle.
In Spain, two elderly people died from heatstroke after several days of temperatures exceeding 40°C, although weather conditions began easing on Wednesday following what officials described as the hottest late-June period on record.
Italy’s Health Ministry placed 16 cities, including Rome, Milan, Florence, Turin and Verona, under its highest heat alert and warned temperatures could intensify further before peaking over the weekend.
The extreme weather has also affected critical infrastructure. France’s nuclear power sector reduced electricity production by approximately 7% of national demand as elevated river temperatures limited access to cooling water required for reactor operations.
Transport networks across Europe experienced disruptions. Rail operators in Britain imposed speed restrictions and canceled services due to heat-related risks, while public transportation services in the Netherlands were reduced as temperatures climbed.
Hundreds of schools in Britain and the Netherlands either closed or shortened operating hours as officials warned that prolonged exposure to the heat posed health risks even to otherwise healthy individuals.
Major cultural landmarks were also affected. Paris’s Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum announced early closures, while ceremonial activities at Buckingham Palace were scaled back because of the extreme temperatures. In Florence, the Uffizi Galleries temporarily suspended ticket sales after an air-conditioning malfunction.
Meteorologists attributed the heatwave to an “Omega block,” a persistent atmospheric pattern that traps hot air over a region for extended periods. According to climate monitoring data, temperatures in parts of Western Europe have risen as much as 18°C above seasonal averages.
Weather experts noted similarities to the devastating 2003 European heatwave, which lasted more than two weeks and was linked to an estimated 80,000 excess deaths across the continent.
The World Meteorological Organization has warned that Europe is warming at more than twice the global average rate, increasing the likelihood and intensity of prolonged heat events.
Businesses and employers across the region adjusted operations to protect workers. Construction firms altered work schedules, agricultural producers shifted to nighttime operations, and retailers reported surging demand for cooling equipment.
Despite the risks, tourist destinations remained crowded as visitors sought to continue their travel plans amid the extreme conditions.
Forecasters said temperatures are expected to remain well above seasonal norms across much of Western Europe in the coming days, with authorities urging residents to avoid unnecessary outdoor activity and remain hydrated.