International-News

Europe in the grip of record heat with temperatures above 40 degrees

Alert in Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, the United Kingdom and the Balkans, where fires and heat waves are putting public health at risk

Europe is grappling with an exceptional heatwave, which has caused temperatures to exceed 40 degrees in many regions. Alerts are in place in several countries, including Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, the United Kingdom and Balkan countries such as Croatia. The authorities have activated emergency medical services and are urging the population to limit their movements and stay indoors as much as possible.

In France, the situation is described as “unprecedented”: 84 of the 96 mainland departments are on orange alert, the second highest level. Nearly 200 schools have been closed or suspended, while several forest fires are causing evacuations and the closure of roads and motorways.

In the United Kingdom, temperatures of up to 34°C are expected, potentially among the highest ever recorded in June. In Spain and Portugal, the weekend saw record temperatures: up to 46.6°C in some locations, with many areas still under maximum heat alert.

In Germany, peaks of almost 38°C are expected, while the heatwave has reduced the levels of the Rhine River, limiting navigability and increasing freight costs. In the Balkans, too, extreme heat has caused fires and record temperatures, such as 42°C in Skopje, North Macedonia, or 38.8°C in Sarajevo.

In Greece and Turkey, firefighters are struggling to contain numerous forest fires that have already caused evacuations and damage to several homes.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) for Europe has issued a warning about the health crisis posed by heatwaves, emphasising that the elderly, children, outdoor workers and people with chronic conditions are particularly at risk. The WHO has launched its annual “#KeepCool” campaign to raise awareness of life-saving behaviours to adopt during heatwaves: staying indoors during the hottest hours of the day, keeping your home cool, staying hydrated and wearing light clothing, as well as keeping in touch with vulnerable or isolated people.

Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, stressed the need for effective action plans in individual countries and communities to address not only this emergency but also the increasing frequency and intensity of these climate change-related crises. “We must ensure that everyone knows how to stay safe and healthy, no matter how high the temperature rises,” he concluded.

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