In brief
At least 101 million Europeans faced temperatures above 35°C on 25 June, with 380 million above 30°C (two-thirds of the continent), according to German weather data and population projections.
Spain recorded 212 heat-related deaths from Sunday to Wednesday via its MoMo mortality system; France reported 40 drownings since 18 June, mostly young people, and 25 cardiac arrests in Paris in one day.
The French government activated the highest health emergency level; emergency visits and home calls quadrupled. Paris banned alcohol sales from 6 p.m. Friday and public drinking from midday.
Paris hit 40.9°C, Fontenay 43.7°C, Nantes 42.2°C, Basel 38°C (first June day above 37°C), and the UK twice broke its June record (35.7°C then 36.4°C). Germany and the Netherlands expect up to 40°C.
Deutsche Bahn advised against non-essential travel and offered refunds; Hamburg half marathon cancelled. Italy's Palermo courts suspended non-urgent hearings until 29 June due to heat inside the building.
- 23 JunFrance records its hottest national average (30°C) since 1947; record highs in the west (43.7°C in Fontenay)
- 24 JunParis hits 40.9°C, its hottest day ever; UK sets June record (35.7°C in Charlwood); 25 cardiac arrests in Paris in 24h
- 25 JunSwitzerland reaches 38°C in Basel (first June day above 37°C); UK June record broken again at 36.4°C; France extends red alert to 72 departments, bans alcohol sales in Paris
- 27 JunTemperatures expected to begin a gradual decline, but health pressure may persist for days
A continent under extreme heat
More than 101 million people across Europe endured temperatures above 35°C on Thursday, with forecasts showing 380 million (two-thirds of the continent's population excluding Turkey) exposed to levels above 30°C, according to an AFP analysis based on German weather service data. The heatwave peaked in France, where the national average hit 30°C on Tuesday, the highest since records began in 1947.
Record temperatures across Europe
Records tumbled from the Atlantic to the Alps. Paris logged 40.9°C on Wednesday, the hottest day since measurements began, while Fontenay in western France soared to 43.7°C, Nantes reached 42.2°C and Le Mans 41.8°C. The United Kingdom saw its June record broken twice: 35.7°C on Wednesday in Charlwood, then 36.4°C on Thursday in Yeovilton. Switzerland recorded 38°C in Basel, marking the first time the country exceeded 37°C in June; the previous high was 36.9°C in 1947. Germany expected up to 40°C in some regions, and the Netherlands issued its first-ever red heat warning.
- Fontenay (France)
- 43.7 °C
- Nantes (France)
- 42.2 °C
- Paris (France)
- 40.9 °C
- Basel (Switzerland)
- 38 °C
- Yeovilton (United Kingdom)
- 36.4 °C
Data from the article text
Health emergency in France
Paris reported 25 cardiac arrests in 24 hours on Wednesday, well above the normal fewer than 10, and national emergency visits and home-medic calls multiplied fourfold.
“We are beginning to have, as expected, the first deaths — and they do not concern only dehydrated elderly people but also young people suffering cardiac arrests.”
“Alcohol under intense sun has devastating effects.”
Deaths and disruptions in Spain, Italy and the north
Spain attributed at least 212 deaths to the heatwave between Sunday and Wednesday, using its mortality monitoring system. In Italy, five heat-related deaths were reported, including two farm workers and a construction labourer; courts in Palermo suspended non-urgent hearings until 29 June. A six-year-old boy drowned in a prohibited bathing area near Bordeaux, one of 40 drowning deaths that French officials linked to the heat since 18 June, mostly among young people. The German railway Deutsche Bahn advised passengers to avoid non-essential travel and offered refunds, while Hamburg's half marathon was among sports events cancelled. The Netherlands and Austria imposed maximum heat warnings, and Denmark issued an orange alert for Friday.
Forecast and outlook
France reduced the number of departments under red alert from 72 to 61, but authorities warned that the health impact would linger for days as chronic conditions could worsen.
“We need a complete paradigm shift.”