France has recorded 1,000 excess deaths during the blistering heatwave sweeping Europe, the public health agency Sante Publique said on Sunday. The agency warned that the true figure was likely higher, as most fatalities involved older people, and the mortality rate was expected to rise with more data from residential care and homes.
Heatwave Shatters Records Across Europe
Europeans have endured blistering conditions since June 20, with scientists calling it the worst recorded heatwave in Europe. Temperatures soared above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) from Scandinavia to the Alps. Preliminary all-time records were set in Germany, Denmark, and the Czech Republic, with a June record in Switzerland. Similar records fell earlier in France and Britain.
Scientists said the heatwave would have been virtually impossible without man-made climate change, making night-time temperatures 100 times more likely than two decades ago. German Green Party lawmaker Katrin Goering-Eckardt called it a health crisis, not pleasant summer weather.
Impact on Health and Infrastructure
France's Health Minister Stephanie Rist told La Tribune that the heatwave's impact could linger for 10 days after temperatures ebb. Most deaths involved people aged 65 and older, but all age groups were affected. In Berlin, police used water cannons to cool residents as temperatures hit 39 C.
Germany recorded a preliminary 41.5 C in Moeckern-Drewitz, topping the previous day's 41.3 C near Saarbruecken. Denmark saw 37 C north of Aarhus, the highest since 1874. The Czech Republic recorded 40.9 C north of Prague, and Bratislava had its hottest night on record.
Disruptions to Power and Transport
Hungary's Paks nuclear plant cut output on one reactor due to the River Danube heating up. Switzerland's Beznau nuclear station temporarily shut down reactors because of the River Aare's temperature. In France, temperatures above 40 C disrupted rail travel, power generation, and sparked alcohol bans, class suspensions, and event postponements.
Italy's health ministry issued red alerts in 18 cities, including Milan, Rome, and Venice. The River Po's flow dropped dramatically, with seawater advancing inland, threatening farming and ecosystems. Even in the Alps, Bolzano never fell below 25.4 C at night, a June record.
Precautionary Measures and Adaptations
German rail operator Deutsche Bahn allowed customers to cancel long-distance travel. National Express suspended some trains in North Rhine-Westphalia. Near Hamburg, a motorway lane closed after heat split the asphalt. The Lausanne Pride march added water fountains, while Milan's Pride pushed back to 5 p.m. The Ironman European Championship in Frankfurt shortened cycling and running courses.
Paris closed parks, gardens, and the Canal Saint-Martin swimming area early due to storm forecasts. The heatwave, driven by an Omega block weather pattern, is forecast to fade with heavy thunderstorms expected.
