Extreme heatwave impacts Europe with record temperatures and safety warnings
A severe heatwave caused by a heat dome of North African air is affecting much of Europe, with temperatures reaching up to 41.3 degrees Celsius in Saarbrücken, Germany. Record heat has been reported in Switzerland, Italy, Britain, and Germany, with experts predicting potential peaks of 42 degrees. In France, authorities issued red alerts for 37 departments, though improvements are expected by Sunday night. Tragically, four young children died in France after being left inside vehicles during the extreme heat. Several nuclear power plants, including Beznau in Switzerland, have reduced production or ceased operations to prevent overheating the water sources used for cooling. Public events like Pride parades in Budapest and Munich were held despite warnings, while other festivals in Germany and the Netherlands were cancelled. Allianz Trade estimates that ongoing heatwaves could cost the German economy up to 112.5 billion euros by 2030, as productivity declines by 3 percent for every degree above 30.