Europe swelters as record-breaking heatwave claims lives, strains power supply

A severe heatwave has swept across Europe, shattering temperature records, claiming hundreds of lives and forcing authorities to implement emergency measures as extreme heat grips large parts of the continent.

Meteorological agencies reported that nearly 200 million people experienced temperatures above 35°C on Saturday as a powerful high-pressure system spread from the Iberian Peninsula across France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Poland and the Balkans.

Several countries recorded their hottest June temperatures in history. Germany’s weather service issued its highest-level heat alerts after temperatures climbed to 41.5°C in parts of the country, with forecasts suggesting they could approach 42°C before conditions ease.

Denmark also registered its highest temperature since records began in 1874, reaching 36.6°C near Odense. In the United Kingdom, temperatures climbed to 36.9°C in Suffolk, setting a new June record and prompting the Met Office to issue unprecedented consecutive red warnings for extreme heat.

Spain earlier recorded 42.7°C in Bilbao, its hottest June reading on record, while Switzerland reached a record 38°C in Basel.

The prolonged heat has placed enormous pressure on critical infrastructure across Europe. In France and Switzerland, operators reduced output or temporarily shut down some nuclear reactors to prevent overheated cooling water from damaging nearby rivers and aquatic ecosystems.

Belgium also experienced record electricity prices as soaring demand for air conditioning placed significant strain on the national power grid.

The extreme weather has disrupted daily life, forcing the cancellation of outdoor festivals, concerts and public events across several countries. Motorsport officials have also declared a heat hazard for the upcoming Austrian Grand Prix, where track temperatures are expected to exceed 36°C.

Health authorities say the heatwave has already resulted in more than 530 heat-related deaths across Europe, with emergency services reporting increased admissions for heat exhaustion, dehydration and other weather-related illnesses.

The soaring temperatures have also contributed to a rise in drowning incidents as people sought relief in rivers, lakes and beaches. French authorities reported 40 drowning deaths during the week, while emergency services in the United Kingdom confirmed six similar fatalities in the past three days.

Health experts warned that the unusually high nighttime temperatures, often remaining above 20°C, are preventing the human body from cooling down and recovering after prolonged daytime exposure to extreme heat.

Climate scientists have linked the intensity of the current heatwave to global warming. A rapid assessment by the World Weather Attribution (WWA) group concluded that a June heatwave of this magnitude would have been “virtually impossible” without human-induced climate change.

Researchers from Imperial College London and the University of Reading said the current event is approximately 3°C hotter than Europe’s devastating 1976 heatwave. They also noted that greenhouse gas emissions have significantly increased the likelihood of prolonged hot nights across the continent.

Meteorological agencies have warned that the crisis is far from over, with elevated risks of wildfires, drought and severe thunderstorms expected to continue as the heatwave moves deeper into Central Europe and the Balkans.