Extreme heatwave impacts across Europe
Since June 20-21, Europe has been experiencing a severe, record-breaking heatwave with temperatures frequently exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. The World Health Organization reported that over 1,300 deaths have been attributed to the extreme heat across the continent. France specifically reported 1,000 excess deaths, largely among the elderly population. Record temperatures were documented in Germany, reaching 41.5 degrees Celsius in Saxony-Anhalt, and in the Czech Republic, where the mercury hit 41.1 degrees Celsius in Doksany. Denmark and Switzerland also recorded historical highs for June. Currently, 150 million people are living under extreme heat conditions, leading to school closures, power grid stress, and infrastructure damage, such as road destruction on Germany's A2 motorway. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that Europe is warming twice as fast as the global average, labeling heat stress a silent killer.