A severe and deadly heatwave is gripping Europe, with more than 1,300 excess deaths linked to extreme heat since 21 June, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In a post on X, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated: “More than 1,300 additional deaths have been recorded since 21 June due to high temperatures and the heatwave across Europe.”
He noted that around 150 million people are currently facing extreme heat conditions—leading to hundreds of fatalities, school closures, and mounting strain on energy grids. According to estimates by France’s Agence France-Presse (AFP), at least 191 million Europeans are expected to experience temperatures above 35°C today—a slight decrease from the previous day. Temperatures are forecast to exceed 40°C in several regions, while others face intense thunderstorms.
France has reported approximately 1,000 additional heat-related deaths during the current episode. New national temperature records have been set across multiple countries. In the Czech Republic, thermometers hit 41.1°C in Doksy, north of Prague—the first time the country’s official meteorological network has registered 41°C. The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (CHMI) confirmed this was not yet the peak, adding: “Temperatures continue to rise.”
Extreme heat has also been recorded in Germany, Poland, and Italy. Preliminary data from Germany’s national weather service (DWD) show a new national record of 41.7°C in Köthen, Brandenburg—near the Polish border. In Berlin, authorities plan to deploy high-pressure water cannons again to help residents cope with scorching conditions. Travel disruptions have mounted: train schedules were reduced in North Rhine-Westphalia, and tram services were suspended in Leipzig. Many residents stayed indoors, avoiding outdoor movement until temperatures dropped.
In Rome, Pope Leo thanked faithful who attended Sunday prayers in St. Peter’s Square despite the exceptionally harsh weather conditions.
In France, signs of improvement are emerging—the red heat alert remains active only in two eastern departments. However, Health Minister Stéphanie Rist warned that health impacts may persist for up to ten days after temperatures subside. “This episode is not over,” she stressed in an interview with BFM TV.
Meanwhile, thunderstorms that struck parts of France triggered widespread power outages. Utility company Enedis reported that roughly 36,000 households in northern France lost electricity.