More than 1,300 excess deaths have been linked to Europe’s unprecedented early summer heatwave, the World Health Organization has said, as temperature records continued to tumble across the continent.
On Sunday, Germany recorded a new all-time high of 41.7C in Coschen, near the Polish border, preliminary data showed. Poland reached 40.5C in Słubice, breaking a 105-year record. Hungary saw 40.7C in Budakalász, while the Czech Republic hit 41.1C in Doksany.
“At least 1,300 excess deaths linked to Europe's record-breaking heatwave, WHO warns, as temperatures surpass 41C.”
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that European homes, workplaces and schools “were not built for these temperatures”. He said the phenomenon of the “once-in-a-generation” heatwave is now occurring nearly annually, driven by climate change.
In France, around 36,000 homes lost power following heatwave-related storms, which also saw the Eiffel Tower struck by lightning and golf ball-sized hail stripping tiles from roofs. French health officials recorded about 1,000 excess deaths since Wednesday, with a 40% rise in deaths at home among those aged 65 and over.
In Germany, firefighters faced extra danger as a forest fire broke out in a wooded area contaminated with second-world-war ammunition near Gohrischheide. A major firefighting operation was also paused at a former munitions site in Traisen after explosions were triggered, forcing about 650 people to leave their homes.
Berlin police deployed two water cannons to spray mist onto people. The German rail operator Deutsche Bahn advised against all nonessential travel.
Poland’s government sent text messages urging people to “avoid the sun and strenuous activity”, while multiple cities set up water curtains.
The heatwave also affected the UK, which broke its June record three days in a row, hitting 37.3C in Santon Downham on Friday. Temperatures in London are expected to fall below 20C tonight for the first time in several days.
As the heat persists, experts have warned of a rise in “summer seasonal affective disorder” (SAD). Google searches for seasonal affective disorder surged by 285% in the UK over the past 24 hours, according to data. Dr Corné Hurter, Medical Director for Services and Delivery at AXA Health, said prolonged hot weather can disrupt sleep, increase physical stress and interfere with routines, contributing to summer SAD symptoms.
The WHO is working with member states to address health threats posed by extreme heat, Tedros said, but warned that Europe – the fastest-warming continent – remains dangerously unprepared.