Western Europe has become a seething cauldron over the past 24 hours, as a deadly heatwave pushes temperatures between 35°C and 42°C. France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, and Belgium are all grappling with extreme heat—and hundreds of people have died in just the last ten days.
Austrian and Swiss Records Toppled
A historic high was recorded today (27 June 2026) in Austria, where the thermometer hit 38.7°C in Bad Deutsch-Altenburg near the Slovak border. Switzerland also set a new national record: 39°C was registered at the Basel/Binningen meteorological station at 1:30 p.m. local time, according to MétéoSuisse, the country’s national weather service. That breaks the previous June record of 38.8°C—set just yesterday at the same location—and surpasses the prior all-time June high of 36.9°C recorded in Basel back in 1947.
France Faces Worst Toll
France is bearing the heaviest human cost among affected countries. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced today that 74 drowning deaths have been recorded since 18 June—directly linked to the extreme heatwave. Most occurred in unauthorized, unguarded water bodies: rivers and small lakes, among others. Drownings in private swimming pools were also reported.
“There’s a phenomenon of hydrocution—sometimes triggered by overexertion… We’re seeing many fatalities from cardiac arrest,” the minister told Le Parisien, in an interview published online.
Germany Under Pressure
Germany, too, is enduring scorching conditions, with dozens of heat-related drownings confirmed by official sources. Authorities have issued urgent public advisories urging citizens to avoid unnecessary travel, stay hydrated, refrain from entering lakes and rivers alone, cool down gradually before swimming, and never underestimate the risks posed by high temperatures—even in familiar natural settings.
UK Endures Its Hottest June on Record
The United Kingdom is also reeling. Temperatures reached 37.3°C this week—the highest ever recorded in June—breaking the national record for the third day in a row. Hospitals are operating under emergency protocols, and many public buildings without air conditioning are struggling to cope. The unprecedented heatwave has severely tested the UK’s health system and critical infrastructure.