Europe is facing one of its deadliest heatwaves in recent years, with more than 1,300 people dying since June 21 due to extreme temperatures. Several parts of the continent recorded temperatures close to 40°C, while some regions also experienced thunderstorms. The intense heat has triggered wildfires, damaged roads and railway tracks, and put emergency services under heavy pressure.
WHO Warns of Growing Climate Threat
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Europe is now the fastest-warming continent in the world. He said nearly 150 million people are living under extreme heat conditions. According to Tedros, Europe is warming twice as fast as the global average, making deadly heatwaves more frequent.
He described heat stress as a “silent killer” and urged governments to strengthen health systems and introduce heat action plans to protect people.
France Reports Around 1,000 Heat-Related Deaths
France has been one of the worst-hit countries during the heatwave. Health officials said around 1,000 excess deaths were recorded in just three days of extreme heat. Daily deaths increased from around 900-1,000 to more than 1,400 on the hottest days.
Most of those who died were 65 years or older, with the highest number of deaths reported from areas under the highest heat alert.
Germany Breaks Temperature Records
Germany recorded its hottest day and warmest night on record. Temperatures reached 41.5°C, while nighttime temperatures stayed as high as 29.4°C. The heat led to hundreds of additional ambulance calls in Berlin. Police even used water cannons near the Brandenburg Gate to cool residents and tourists.
Wildfires and Transport Disruptions
The extreme heat sparked several wildfires across Germany, making firefighting operations difficult. Roads were damaged due to the high temperatures, while railway tracks were also affected. Rail operator Deutsche Bahn advised passengers to avoid unnecessary travel.
More than 600 passengers were evacuated from a train after storms damaged overhead power lines, cutting electricity and air conditioning. Tram services in Leipzig were also suspended because of heat damage.
Rivers, Power Supply and Farming Affected
The prolonged heatwave has also affected rivers across Europe. Hungary’s Paks nuclear power plant reduced electricity production because the Danube River became too warm for cooling. In Italy, water levels in the Po River dropped sharply, allowing seawater to move inland and threatening agriculture and protected wetlands.
Authorities also reported several drowning deaths as people tried to cool off by swimming in rivers, lakes and the sea.
Storms Follow Heatwave
After days of extreme heat, several European countries experienced severe weather. Lightning struck an amusement park in southern Sweden, injuring several people. Denmark also witnessed powerful thunderstorms after recording record temperatures.
Greece remains on high alert because of a very high wildfire risk, while parts of France continue to remain under heat warnings despite cooler weather arriving after thunderstorms.
Scientists Link Heatwave to Climate Change
Scientists say the record-breaking heat would have been almost impossible without human-driven climate change. According to the World Weather Attribution group, climate change has made such extreme heatwaves much more likely. Researchers said the unusually high nighttime temperatures seen during the latest heatwave are now around 100 times more likely than they were two decades ago.
Experts warn that Europe will continue to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves unless global warming is reduced.
First published on: Jun 29, 2026 11:20 PM IST
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